Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga on Tuesday, June 28, defended President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government from blames over the high cost of living.
While speaking in a media interview, Mr. Odinga criticized Deputy President William Ruto and his allies for what he described as ‘politicizing the cost of living despite being part of the government.’
Moreover, he said being a close ally to the president, he had spoken to him on the concerns over the rising cost of living that has left many Kenyans struggling to put food on the table.
According to Raila Odinga, the rising cost of living can be attributed to several external factors. He further pointed out that president Uhuru Kenyatta is also facing a lot of challenges in his efforts to address Kenya’s economic crisis.
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“I do not want to speak for the government, but I have indeed spoken to President Kenyatta about these issues. I know he is facing a lot of challenges, for example, now the government is being pulled in two different directions; there is a faction of government that is opposing that very government’s agenda,” he said.
“Some people are really trying to divert the attention of the public, playing populist politics with the cost of living,” Odinga added.
In addition, Raila clarified that his role in the current government is to strictly offer advice. Hence dismissing claims by his political rivals that he enjoys state privileges and as such has powers to lower the cost of living.
“Kenyans are not stupid; they know very well that I’m not in government. I don’t earn a salary or allowance from the government and I don’t live in a government house, but I advise. I can give some advice…it is not implementable, the user may or may not use it,” he noted.
Furthermore, Raila blamed events taking place in other parts of the world for the rising cost of living both in Kenya and other countries.
“Even the USA is fighting it, European countries are having serious problems because of what is happening in Ukraine.” Said Odinga.
