Deputy President William Ruto has said that he was misquoted on remarks that the Democratic Republic of Congo didn't have any cows.
Speaking to the Kenya Private Sector Alliance on Thursday, Ruto said what he meant to say was that Kenyans enjoy Congolese music and the country could be a potential market for Kenyan milk.
He insisted that it was a slip of the tongue.
"I was misquoted. I was saying we enjoy their music and they can be our market," Ruto said.
The DP during one of his addresses on February 15, appeared to suggest that the Democratic Republic of Congo has no cow.
He made the statement while explaining to traders and residents how he will get market for their produce in the event he is elected president on August 9, elections.
“Tuko na soko kuanzia hapa DRC, hawa watu wako 90 million na hawana hata ng'ombe moja (We have a market here in DRC Congo. These people have a population of about 90 million but they own no cow)," DP Ruto said.
The remarks attracted the rage of Congolese Senator Francine Muyumba Nkanga who took to her Twitter handle to react.
The Haut-Katanga Senator expressed her disappointment on the DP terming his remarks as undiplomatic even as she demanded an apology.
“Mr Vice President William Ruto, this is really unacceptable, with all due respect there is a need to withdraw this statement If DRC did not have a single cow how could Kenya sign economic deals with DRC, Equity Bank is currently making money in Congo, this is an insult," Muyumba tweeted.
DP Ruto later on apologised for his remarks.
In a statement, the DP said he regretted the misunderstanding his remarks had caused.
"I regret any misunderstanding that may have arisen on account of my speech and take this opportunity to assure the government and the people of DRC of my profound admiration and high regard," the DP said.
