•Mudavadi said Kenyans know the high cost of living is a result of leadership failure by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner Raila Odinga.
•He said Uhuru and Raila are largely to blame for the rise in the cost of basic commodities.
Image: FILE
ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi on Wednesday said the high cost of living will devastate Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance on August 9.
Mudavadi said Kenyans will reject Azimio on the ballot because its leaders have done little to address the rise in the prices of basic commodities.
Addressing Kenya Kwanza leaders in Nairobi, Mudavadi said Kenyans know the high cost of living is a result of leadership failure by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner Raila Odinga.
“Nothing concrete has been done to address the high cost of maize flour. Sugar and cooking oil are equally out of reach for many Kenyans,” he said.
Mudavadi said Uhuru and Raila are largely to blame for the rise in the cost of basic commodities.
“They have started showing signs of panic. Giving IEBC conditions is an indication that they are sensing defeat,” he said.
The cost of living has continued to worsen after prices of goods and services increased by 7.1 per cent in May, the highest level in two years.
This was the highest cost of living recorded in the country since 2017 when it hit eight per cent.
Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate William Ruto has consistently absolved himself from blame saying the March 2018 handshake derailed the government’s development agenda.
Uhuru has accused his deputy of abandoning his responsibilities and making political hay out of the rising cost of living in recent months.
Ruto has bluntly told his boss to stop blaming him for government failures.
Mudavadi said the country’s huge debt burden is one of the reasons the cost of living has gone up.
“Food prices do not just rise. Life has become difficult because we are heavily indebted and a huge portion of the revenue goes towards servicing loans,” he said.
The ANC leader regretted the current administration has an appetite for borrowing and no plans to mitigate the effects of having too many loans.
“We are in a hole and the easiest way to get out is to stop digging. On August 9, Kenyans have the golden opportunity to stop any further digging while we are still in the hole,” he said.
Mudavadi asked Azimio leaders to allow the electoral body to conduct its affairs without interference.
“You cannot give conditions to IEBC or intimidate the commissioners because the law is for all candidates. You cannot try to change the law at this hour,” he said.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris