President William Ruto on Thursday afternoon responded strongly to Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who had allegedly questioned the source of funds used to pay sugarcane farmers in Kakamega their bonuses.
Speaking to residents in Busia, Ruto criticized Kalonzo, accusing him of attempting to discredit the government’s efforts to deliver on its promises to Kenyans.
The Head of State clarified that the Ksh150 million in bonuses paid to sugarcane farmers was not from the government, as claimed by Kalonzo, but was instead paid by Mumias Sugar Company.
Ruto emphasized that the government had taken steps to ensure proper management in the sugar sector, enabling farmers to receive their payments directly from the company rather than relying on government intervention.
“We have put in place good management systems so that farmers are paid by the company, not the government. The bonuses were paid by Mumias Sugar Company, not by public funds,” Ruto stated.
He further criticized Kalonzo for allegedly inciting Kenyans, questioning why similar payments to tea and coffee farmers do not draw the same level of scrutiny.
“When tea and coffee farmers receive their bonuses, no one raises issues.
Why then, when sugarcane farmers are paid, do we see unnecessary questions and baseless claims?” Ruto asked.
The President also reiterated that it was the government’s role to monitor such payments and ensure that all farmers, regardless of the crop they produce, benefit equally.
Backing Ruto’s remarks, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah took a swipe at Kalonzo, accusing him of making baseless claims.
He further mocked the Wiper leader, suggesting that he had joined Mumias East MP Peter Salasya in spreading unwarranted alarm.
“Kalonzo is now in the same category as Salasya, asking questions that lack substance. Is this the person who wants to challenge Ruto in 2027?” Ichung’wah wondered.
Ruto’s response came just hours after Kalonzo, during a press briefing on Wednesday, January 22, accused the President of misusing taxpayers’ money by allegedly making unauthorized payments to sugarcane farmers.
Kalonzo claimed the Ksh150 million disbursed on Monday, January 20, lacked parliamentary approval, raising concerns over the legality of the payment.
Additionally, Kalonzo used the platform to announce planned nationwide demonstrations set for the end of March 2025.
He stated that the protests would take place if the government failed to reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure transparency in future elections.
In the ongoing war of words, Ruto and his allies have dismissed the opposition’s claims as baseless, insisting that their focus remains on fulfilling promises to Kenyans, including those in the agriculture sector.
Kasongo Yeye amesema Kalonzo Musyoka ni mjinga sana. Ati ni kama amerogwa na shetani. Ruto’s insults are a sign of a dying horse. pic.twitter.com/mEeJtercIK
— Cornelius K. Ronoh (@itskipronoh) January 23, 2025
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