Ruto Claps Back: “You’re New to Politics!” – President Schools Salasya on SHA and Housing Tax
Mumias, Kakamega County – January 21, 2025 – In a fiery exchange that captured the attention of the nation, President William Ruto gave Mumias East MP Peter Salasya a lesson in political longevity and policy understanding at the launch of bonuses for sugarcane farmers.
During an event where President William Ruto was launching the issuance of bonuses for sugarcane farmers, Mumias East MP Peter Salasya directly addressed the President with several critical points:
- On Misinformation: Salasya accused some government officials of feeding the President misinformation, particularly about the functioning of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the new university funding model. He stated that these programs were not working as claimed.
- Advisory Role: Salasya humorously offered himself as a personal advisor to Ruto, saying, “Mr. President, I want you to take me as your personal advisor and pay me because your people don’t tell you the truth.”
- Critique of Policies: He criticized the heavy deductions on Kenyans’ payslips and the financial burdens they face, urging the President to address these issues to maintain public support.
- Political Environment: Salasya also spoke about the need to remove cartels and traitors within the government who do not want the President to know the truth about the state of the nation.
- Support for Ruto: Despite his critiques, Salasya expressed that he believes Ruto is a leader with a good heart but is misled by those around him. He suggested that if Ruto could address these issues, he would secure Salasya’s support.
These statements were made in a public setting, highlighting Salasya’s willingness to voice concerns directly to the President.
How did President Ruto Respond?
President William Ruto responded to MP Peter Salasya’s critique by:
- Highlighting Inexperience: Ruto pointed out Salasya’s newness to politics, saying, “You lack experience; you only joined politics 2-3 years ago.”
- Defending Policy: He defended his administration’s policies, suggesting that Salasya was not fully understanding or was misrepresenting their effectiveness.
- Critiquing Populism: Ruto advised Salasya against what he called “populist politics,” stating, “Stop playing populist politics with your people.”
- Acknowledging Salasya: Despite the sharp exchange, Ruto ended on a somewhat reconciliatory note, saying, “Salasya ni kijana mzuri Sana nataka kumyorosha tu,” which translates to “Salasya is a good young man; I just want to guide him,” indicating a recognition of Salasya’s intent, if not his approach.
The exchange has ignited a debate across social media platforms and among political analysts. Some see Ruto’s response as a firm stance by a leader defending his policies, while others view it as an acknowledgment of underlying issues within the government’s implementation of key reforms. Salasya’s critique has brought renewed scrutiny to the SHA and the housing tax, with many Kenyans questioning the transparency and effectiveness of these initiatives.
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