Azimio leader Raila Odinga has come out to trash President William Ruto’s foreign trips saying that they are a waste of time as no investors will come into the country.
The opposition chief was speaking during an interview on December 27 where he shared his views on different topics.
Odinga further affirmed that Ruto’s foreign trips would bear no fruits due to the current economic environment in Kenya.
Odinga Trashes Foreign Trips
“It’s a waste of time and public funds globetrotting hoping that you will bring investments here,” said Odinga.
According to the ODM leader, foreign companies first consult before venturing into investments.
Odinga went on to add, “You can make so many trips to the US to talk to those people there. They will ask General Motors, Coca Cola and other American companies which are here first how the environment is before they come.”
Furthermore, Raila affirmed that no investors will be coming as those already in the country are not feeling comfortable.
The former Prime Minister added that the Kenya Kwanza government has created a very unfriendly environment for businesses in the country.
Also Read: Mudavadi Explains How Ruto’s Foreign Trips are Crucial for Kenya
He went on to add, “Those who are already in the country are suffering because of high taxation.”
Mixed Reactions
Following the remarks by the opposition chief, Kenyans online reacted to Raila Odinga’s critic of Ruto’s trips.
An X user named Mbiyu agreed with the critic claiming, “Baba on point, the best investment promotion strategy is word of mouth from the existing investors.”
Additionally, another user echoed Odinga’s words affirming that President Ruto did not have to make the unnecessary foreign trips.
“If the business environment is favorable for Foreign Companies already operating in Kenya, Ruto does not have to make all these unnecessary foreign trips,” said Ng’ang’a wa Mwangi.
“Just make the business environment favorable and investors will pitch tent,” he added.
Another user noted that Kenyans were being fooled and lied to by the President through the foreign trips.
Richard Kimenyi noted, “let Kenyans not be fooled that foreign trips are bringing value to the country. Companies wanting to invest in any country do proper due diligence in detail of that country so as to ensure whether it’s worthwhile investing there.”
However, some Kenyans came to criticize Odinga for the remarks, instead defending Ruto’s trips.
One user noted, “For 50 years, this guy has been trashing his own country, but investors still come.”
Nevertheless, Stephen Kinyua called out Odinga claiming that the ODM leader was to blame for exit of foreign investors.
“You scare away investors with maandamano and yet you have the audacity to tell the govt to create jobs here, how ridiculous,” said Kinyua.
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Nonetheless, Ruto’s foreign trips have faced opposition from a section of leaders since he ascended into office.
Ruto’s Foreign Trips Flagged
In September, The Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o warned of the impact of the cost of foreign and domestic travels by government officials.
According to the COB, by July 2023 the president had spent Ksh541 million on domestic and international travel.
Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) Musalia Mudavadi on the other hand has come to defend the trips.
Speaking on December 11, Mudavadi defended Ruto’s foreign trips arguing that they are for the good of the country.
He noted that Kenya’s current economic problems and the global economic situation need an aggressive foreign policy and diplomatic onslaught.
In addition, the head of state also announced plans to cut his travel budget by Ksh.500 million.
Following the COB’s revelation, Ruto noted that the cut was aimed at financing infrastructural development in the education sector.
