President William Ruto has vowed not to withdraw his statement asking sugar cartels to leave Kenya, face jail terms or go to heaven.
Speaking on Wednesday, August 30, during a meeting with sugarcane farmers at the Kakamega State Lodge, the president said those corrupting the sugar sector will face the wrath of the law.
“The corrupt must leave Kenya, or they will go to jail, or they have the option of going to heaven.
This is not a threat; it is the truth, an option and it is what we will we do,” affirmed President Ruto.
Further, President Ruto said his administration will not tolerate politicians using their status to support corruption.
“We need to have a break, there will be no place for people used to stealing public resources and those who use politics to protect thieves,” said Ruto.
President emphasized that Kenya has suffered immensely because of corruption, wastage, and theft.
“The Sugar company here (Mumias) has collapsed because we allocate government funds and it gets lost, we cannot continue like that,” stated Ruto.
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Ruto to Critics
Further, Ruto criticized the opposition and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) claiming that they are siding with corrupt people who are derailing the sugar sector.
“The Azimio Coalition issued a statement supporting corrupt individuals and thieves. Let them get me well, those who have stolen public funds, contributed to the collapse of Mumias and Nzoia Sugar should leave Kenya,” said Ruto.
“I am shocked that anybody in Kenya can defend corruption and thieves,” he added.
Also, President Ruto promised to make changes in the management of the sugar companies in efforts to resume operations.
“My third job will be to change the management of these sugar companies,
Farmers bring their sugarcane for crushing but afterwards I am asked to pay workers and farmers, where did the cane go to?” asked Ruto.
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Cartels on the spot
Initially, President Ruto gave an ultimatum to investors he described as cartels sabotaging the sugar industry.
Speaking on August 28, while on his 5-day tour in Western region the President gave an ultimatum to the investors fighting for the control of the ailing Mumias sugar, to either leave the country, go to jail, or go to heaven.
“Let them withdraw the court case and move out. I have said there are only three options left, they either move out, go to jail, or embark on the journey to heaven,” Ruto said.
Earlier on August 27, Ruto singled out businessman Jaswant Singh Singh, the owner of Kabras sugar and Rai Group over the state of the sugar industry.
Rai Group owned by the businessman controls more than 40 percent of the country’s sugar production and market supplies.
Opposition leaders and human rights groups condemned the remarks by Ruto, saying the country risks sliding back to the dark days of forced disappearance.
The groups asked the President to apologize adding that the statement could scare potential foreign investors.
