EXCLUSIVE: Ex-MP Alfred Keter says ‘Ruto is worse than Uhuru’
Former Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter has accused President William Ruto’s administration of mismanaging the economy.
Specifically, the ex-lawmaker, known for his outspoken nature, in an exclusive interview with Nairobi News, accused the Head of State of failing to cushion Kenyans against the high cost of living, and instead burdening them with high taxation.
“President has failed to honour his campaign pledges and is insensitive to Kenyans. He is doing what he accused former president Uhuru Kenyatta of doing…his administration is the worst since independence when managing the economy,” said the former MP.
He added: “He is worse than Uhuru. In fact, the king is naked and nobody wants to tell him the truth. He is either not believing in what he says or his advisers fear telling him the truth because of sycophancy.”
He said the current cost of living as result of increased fuel prices and heavy taxation was affecting all aspects of lives of most Kenyans.
“Many factories are now closing, this punitive taxes is pushing away investors and impacting negatively on Kenyans… school children are now at home because parents are not able to afford school fees, grandparents are really suffering because of high inflation,” observed the ex-lawmaker.
He said the high taxes would also hurt food production and hurt the country’s food security.
“Even if you give farmers cheap fertilizer and fuel prices are high, many farmers will be forced to reduce food production due to the high cost of other farm inputs,” added Mr Keter.
He said he will not be cowed but he will continue to agitate on behalf of the suffering Kenyans.
“They thought they would silence me by denying me an opportunity in the United Democratic Alliance. (UDA) I will continue speaking about the plight of Kenyans as Kenyan citizens with no part allegiance,” stated the former two-term lawmaker.
Earlier, the ex-MP, speaking at the burial of former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) official Stanley Mutai, accused the current regime of being insensitive to the plight of Kenyans. The video of his speech has gone viral on social media.
During the run-up to 2022 polls, the UDA denied Mr Keter a party ticket despite the former claiming a resounding victory at the party primaries. Mr Keter opted to contest on an independent party ticket but lost Mr Bernard Kitur of UDA.
Keter’s comments come at a time Kenyans are reeling over the cost of fuel, currently trading at an all time high of Sh212 a litre, thanks in part to the depreciating shilling.
Kenyans have also been choked by the high cost od goods and services in recent times, and especially maize flour, sugar and electricity.
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