Exclusive: Bunge la Mwananchi president speaks on working with President Ruto
Bunge la Mwananchi president Calvince Okoth has said he is ready to work with President William Ruto if the government lowers the cost of living in the country.
The fiery political mobiliser, who is a staunch supporter of Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition leader, Raila Odinga, has said for all his criticism of Kenya Kwanza government, he has nothing personal against President Ruto.
“I have no problem working with Ruto, as long as he lowers the cost of living and creates job opportunities for the youth,” Okoth told Nairobi News in an exclusive interview.
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“I have no problem with him (President Ruto) as a person. It’s only that we don’t agree on ideologies. He has not shown interest in creating job opportunities for the youth and this is my number one agenda,” he said.
Okoth, who is popularly known as Gaucho, said even if the bilateral talks between the government and Azimio are fruitful he will keep on fighting for the interest of the youth in the country.
“I am a loyal friend and staunch follower of Odinga. I will still remain loyal to him no matter what. The only thing that can attract me to Ruto’s camp is if he lowers the cost of living in the country and addresses the issues affecting the youth,” he said.
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Gaucho, who has been spearheading the ongoing Azimio protests aimed at lowering the cost of living, has been among the harshest critics of President Ruto’s government.
Gaucho has been closely linked to Azimio leader Mr Odinga and is believed to be among the people who assist in mobilising supporters for anti-government protests.
He has publicly spoken against the proposed taxes in the Finance Bill 2023 which he claims will make life even harder for Kenyans.
He has also been criticizing the government for abolishing the Kazi Mtaani programme that was a source of livelihood for many youth. As at 2022, the youth unemployment rate in Kenya stood at around 13.35 per cent.
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