Deputy President William Ruto when he campaigned in Uasin Gishu County on Friday. facebook/William RutoDeputy President William Ruto has told off NASA leader Raila Odinga for peddling falsehoods over the maize situation to hoodwink Kenyans.
The DP took issue with Raila's allegation that Kenya bypassed Ethiopia, where maize for export was available, to import the commodity from South America.
Ruto said contrary to Raila's claims, Kenya has already imported 13,000 metric tonnes of maize from Ethiopia through Marsabit while more is on the way.
He said it is unfortunate that the opposition leader is fond of taking advantage of challenges facing Kenyans to achieve political mileage.
He was speaking while on the final leg of Jubilee leaders’ tour of Western in Kakamega.
He noted that it was not the first time the country was facing a maize shortage but unlike in the past, the Jubilee Administration had put measures in place to ensure Kenyans are cushioned from lack of the staple.
The Deputy President said Kenya faced similar challenges in the 2008, 2009 and 2011 when Raila was in government as 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?” he asked.
“Raila can benefit from a little more basic research.”
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 capitalise on the problems facing Kenyans. The President has set out programmes to tackle the issue and bring solution to food shortages,” Ruto said.