Deputy President William Ruto addressing residents in Trans Nzoia on Wednesday. [Photo/ PSCU]
Deputy President William Ruto has told off opposition leader Raila Odinga for peddling falsehoods over the maize situation to hoodwink Kenyans.
The Deputy President took issue with Raila's allegation that Kenya bypassed Ethiopia, where maize for export was available, to import the commodity from South America.
Mr Ruto said contrary to Raila's claims Kenya has already imported 13000 metric tones of maize from Ethiopia while more is on the way.
The Deputy President said it is unfortunate that the opposition leader is fond of taking advantage of challenges facing wananchi to achieve political mileage.
He was speaking when he accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta at State Lodge Kakamega in meeting with the Western region leaders.
He noted that it is not the first time the country is facing maize shortage but unlike in the past the Jubilee Administration had put measures in place to ensure Kenyans are cushioned from the lack of their staple food.
The Deputy President said Kenya faced similar challenges in the 2008,2009 and 2011 when Raila was in government as the Prime Minister.
“I want to tell him that we had maize shortage in 2008,2009 and 2011 when he was the Prime Minister, so does it mean he was the one who caused the shortage of maize because he was in government that time,” asked the deputy President.
"Raila can benefit from a little more basic research," the DP said.
He said what the NASA candidate is telling Kenyans is of no consequence as the government has already taken measures to ensure the country produces enough for local consumption and for export.
“He should formulate and champion his policies and not to capitalize on the problems facing wananchi. The President has set out programmes to tackle the issue and bring solution to food shortages” said Deputy President Ruto.