President William Ruto has fired back at opposition chief Raila Odinga over threats to resume protests, warning that the state will clamp down on any form of destruction of property.
Speaking three days after the Azimio leader threatened to rally back supporters to the streets should the ongoing talks fail, Ruto said the government will not allow any disruption of the economy.
He called on the opposition to be patriotic and avoid activities that amount to economic sabotage.
“We want a patriotic citizenry, those of us in government must be patriotic to our nation, we must look after the resources of Kenya. Those in opposition must equally be patriotic, they can’t participate in the sabotage of the economy of Kenya,” Ruto said.
“Opposition that sabotages the economy of Kenya and that is against the law, the constitution and that is unpatriotic.”
The Azimio leader said in Kitengela over the weekend that demonstrations remain an option for the opposition should the ongoing talks fail.
“No amount of intimidation or bullets will stop us from going back to the streets to protest. Even our constitution was borne out of protest,” he said when he attended the annual inter-ministries church service at Enkasiti Kajiado East.
Raila's remarks was a response to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s anti-dialogue sentiments rubbishing the ongoing talks.
On Monday, Ruto said his administration will not allow any disorderly conduct at a time the government is reviving the economy.
The President was speaking during the second day of his week-long working tour of the western Kenya.
He was accompanied by Gachagua, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, MPs Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), John Waluke (Sirisia), Robert Pukose (Endebes) and Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon), among others.
The head of state said that his administration has no problem with the opposition but insisted that they must act responsibly.
He said Kenya cannot develop through unnecessary street demonstrations, saying such actions can only serve to derail the progress being made in the country.
“What we cannot allow is violent street protests and destruction of both private and public properties.”
The new developments comes at a time bipartisan talks are expected to resume on Wednesday at the Bomas of Kenya after the Senate approves the establishment of the National Dialogue Committee on Tuesday.
But adamant Rigathi – speaking at the same function – insisted he will not allow any handshake between the President and the opposition chief.
“You heard that the old man tried through demos but we stopped him. Now we are keeping serious surveillance around State House just in case he tries to come close, we shall deal with him,” he said.
Wetang'ula called on the government to intervene on the pricing of maize for the benefit of farmers to tame unscrupulous businessmen from exploiting them.
While addressing a rally at Chepkurkur grounds in Bungoma county, the National Assembly Speaker said farmers in the area rely on maize for their livelihood. However, he said that brokers had taken advantage of uncontrolled prices to exploit them.
"Farmers are asking the government to stabilise farm gate prices for maize. They want to sell their produce at a minimum of Sh120 per two kilogrammes," he said.
Wetang'ula said that the misfortunes in the sugar sector were hitting farmers hard, making most of them to rely on maize production to earn a living.
At Chepkurkur in Mt Elgon, the President ordered encroachers out of the forests, saying the government will act tough on illegal logging in the area.
“Cutting forest must end, we shall put cutline and those without titles will be given,” he said.
