Business as usual for Ruto, Gachagua, Sakaja despite Azimio protests
Politicians affiliated with the ruling Kenya Kwanza political outfit on March 27, 2023, shared updates while going about their duties normally despite the countrywide demonstrations.
Led by President William Ruto, the politicians appeared to show the world that it was business as usual in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya.
The Head of State jetted out of the country on March 26, 2023, for a four-day trip to Europe for a working tour of Belgium and Germany, with trade talks being the main agenda.
Despite the protests which led to the closure of several businesses in Nairobi, President Ruto said on his Twitter account that he had invited German business people to invest in Kenya in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
“Had a working breakfast with Dr Markus Jerger, the Chairman of Der Mittelstand-German Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW), Potsdamer Platz, Berlin,” he added.
Later held talks with the Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade (BWA) led by its Chairman Michael Schumann; agreed on the approaches to bringing more German and international companies to Kenya. pic.twitter.com/aPnc8mLXoH
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) March 27, 2023
Meanwhile, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua shared photos of himself arriving at his office early in the wee hours of the morning. He later announced he’d held a meeting with Chief Administrative Secretaries posted to his office.
“Time Check earlier today, 5:15 am, Harambee House Annex, Nairobi. Do the much as you can every single day to make Kenya better. The hard work and resilience of the Kenyan people to make this nation great again is indefatigable,” he tweeted.
Time Check earlier today, 5.15am, Harambee House Annex, Nairobi.
Do the much you can every single day to make Kenya better. The hard work and resilience of the Kenyan people to make this nation great again is undefatigable. pic.twitter.com/oIYcuthsBn
— Rigathi Gachagua (@rigathi) March 27, 2023
And Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who last week bemoaned the economic effects of the protests, gave a keynote opening address at the London School of Economics at the same time the fresh demonstrations were taking place in his city.
“The summit is a leading destination for renowned scholars, political voices, and forward-thinking corporations to engage, network, and solve,” he tweeted.
The Now and Next Generation of Africa was the subject at the London School of Economics @LSEAfricaSummit where I gave the keynote opening address. The summit is a leading destination for renowned scholars, political voices, forward-thinking corporations to engage, network & solve pic.twitter.com/rzBxOfRYuL
— Sakaja Arthur Johnson (@SakajaJohnson) March 27, 2023
While politician come Mmusician Charles Njagua ‘Jaguar’, the newly appointed CAS in the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts took a photo of him in office and tweeted, “Let’s get to work.”
Let's get to work…. pic.twitter.com/DBgWwUg6mY
— Hon. Jaguar (@RealJaguarKenya) March 27, 2023
Interior CS, Professor Kithure Kindiki also released a statement allocating the CAS’s attached to his office ministerial duties.
Allocation of responsibilities to Cabinet Administrative Secretaries. pic.twitter.com/f9PKcphCKC
— Ministry of Interior | Kenya (@InteriorKE) March 27, 2023
While the leaders are busy in their offices getting work done, Azimio la Umoja party leader Raila Odinga and politicians led thousands of Kenyans in downing their tools.
Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o joined residents in the protests.
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya who is in Nairobi shared a video of him saying the city was at a standstill.
Kweli leo ni holiday police will pay taxes to gvt today Hehe everything is at standstill….for how long shall mtoto wa mau mau realise that he can't led this kenya with bitterness arrogance and revenge 😀 baba is losing nothing but gvt losing much waaah the economy at its risk pic.twitter.com/4aEKKytoAX
— Peter K. Salasya, MP (@P_Salasya) March 27, 2023
Mr Odinga has vowed to continue with the protests until the time President William Ruto addresses the cost of living and agrees to dialogue over electoral reforms.
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