The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs, through the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, has lashed out at Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka over his remarks blaming President William Ruto for the current crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement dated Wednesday, February 5, Mudavadi asserted that the crisis had nothing to do with Kenya’s leadership.
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“The crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has nothing to do with Kenya or its leadership. We do not share borders, nor do we have any interest in the DRC other than peace, stability, and prosperity for its people.
It is therefore regrettable that Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, in a clip circulating on social media, insinuates that President William Ruto is part of the problem in the crisis in the DRC,” the statement read.
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Mudavadi Lashes Out at Kalonzo Over DRC Remarks
The government further noted that the challenges facing the DRC are deeply rooted in historical issues dating back to the 1960s and have been addressed by previous regional leaders over the decades.
Also Read: Kagame Responds to DRC’s Letter Urging Arsenal, PSG & Bayern to Cut Visit Rwanda Deals
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“Kalonzo’s attempt to link President Ruto with the issues in the DRC is not only an attempt to overstretch his political witch hunt against the Head of State, but also reckless, especially for a leader who served for a long time as Minister of Foreign Affairs and was supposed to understand the DRC dynamics better,” the statement added.
Kalonzo Blames Ruto for DRC Instability
The government’s response follows claims by Kalonzo Musyoka, who alleged that President Ruto’s decisions have contributed to the ongoing instability in the country.
“The situation currently unfolding in Congo is very difficult. President Félix Tshisekedi is a very close friend of mine. President Kagame is also my friend. I went there and helped put together a coalition between Kabila, as he was then, and Tshisekedi.
However, when Ruto took over, the mistake he made was removing Uhuru Kenyatta as the Chief Mediator, refusing to facilitate him, and then the whole process collapsed,” Kalonzo alleged.
Also Read: What Are You Doing in DRC – Gachagua Faults Ruto
Mudavadi’s statements also come at a time when the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are meeting in Tanzania for a crucial summit on February 7 and 8 to discuss the ongoing conflict in the DRC.
Back home President Ruto has been criticized by several leaders led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on paying much attention on DRC conflict while ignoring the surge in abductions within the country.
While addressing a congregation in Ministries Shilor Church in, Mathioya Murang’a County, on Sunday February 2, Gachagua castigated President Ruto’s administration for turning a deaf ear on matters concerning abduction.
“It is pointless for you Mr President to pretend to be creating peace in DRC when your government is abducting and killing our children. It doesn’t make sense, that is pretense,” Gachagua said.
Public Service CS Justin Muturi on January 31 questioned how the country could allow incidents of abductions while pretending to solve issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“Why are we allowing young people to be kidnapped, only to later find them killed? Surely, what kind of country are we? And yet, we are pretending to solve issues in the DRC. This is a very serious issue, the number of people found dead is worrying and should brink any conscious of any person in the country,” he said.
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