UDA National Youth Leader Kariuki Ngunjiri has asked the Opposition to be patriotic and support well-meaning initiatives by the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He urged the Kenyan leadership to be united for the course of the common good of the country saying a house against itself cannot stand.
“Critics have their right to keep him (President William Ruto) in check, but not shoot down genuine efforts for the sake of the country," he said.
Speaking to the Star, Ngunjiri added that he disagrees with those who think the President should apply short-term solutions to long-term complex problems.
“From shutting down subsidies to promoting self-reliance, the President has started an economic recovery renaissance, and the fruits will be felt in the coming years,” he added.
Ngunjiri’s remarks come hot on the heels of a ruling by the High Court temporarily suspending the sale of 11 parastatals among them KICC and Kenya Pipeline Company following a petition by Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement party.
Raila’s party argues that the sale should be subjected to a referendum because of the strategic importance of the State firms that are reportedly worth Sh200 billion.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the African Stock Exchanges Association's annual meeting in Nairobi in early November, Ruto said Kenya will offload potentially "lucrative" companies where growth has been limited by bureaucracy.
Ruto’s housing programme was also dealt a blow the High Court in Nairobi declared the Housing Levy unconstitutional for being discriminatory and creating unequal principles.
On Tuesday, Ngunjiri said the President has displayed courage in facing reality as it is, and rather than sugar-coating the situation.
He said the Head of State has acknowledged what has gone wrong and why, addressed the fears of many Kenyans and candidly explained what he’s doing about economic recovery.
He said the ascension of Ruto to power is similar to that of Winston Churchill as the British Prime Minister amid a ravaging catastrophe- World War II in 1940.
“Indeed, we are seeing a scenario that I equate to Churchill’s darkest hour. The President has stepped in, amid a crisis, confronted with a dire situation that needs bold decisions,” he stated.
Ngunjiri added that, just like Churchill during the World War, the economic challenges, and noise from the opposition, test President Ruto’s qualities as a leader.
