President William Ruto on Tuesday, December 10, faulted his political adversaries for consistently criticising government initiatives.
In what appeared to be a subtle dig at Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the President specifically called out leaders who were against the upcoming animal vaccination drive.
Speaking at the Pastoralist Leadership Summit in Wajir County, Ruto lamented apparent 'evil spirits' among leaders who he claimed were intent on frustrating his regime.
"There is an evil spirit in Kenya that is resident in some leaders," the President said, "They churn out falsehood and oppose everything for the sake of opposing."
He added, "Foot and mouth disease, PPR are diseases we have been fighting since I was born. It is not anything new. So anybody opposing vaccination to eliminate these diseases is simply mad and unreasonable."
In what is becoming a trademark rant from the President, he further urged leaders who were unfamiliar with livestock rearing not to weigh in on the vaccination issue.
The President's remarks came just weeks after Kalonzo, who is one of Ruto's fiercest critics in recent times, called on Kenyans to reject the government's vaccination drive, set to begin in January 2025.
According to Kalonzo, the vaccination campaign was funded by foreign institutions that sought to introduce drugs meant to modify livestock's genes.
"We take note with alarm that these vaccinations developed overseas have been rejected everywhere else in the world, including the home country United States," Kalonzo alleged at the SKM command center alongside Eugene Wamalwa, Jeremiah Kioni, and Ferdinand Waititu.
During his address, Ruto also dismissed Kalonzo's allegations that the vaccines would be coming from abroad as he reiterated that Kenya had sufficient resources to produce her own vaccines.
"And for the avoidance of doubt, the vaccines that will be used, are produced in Kenya, by Kenyans," Ruto added.
"Kevevapi, our institution is going to produce these vaccines. We have one of the largest vaccine producers in Africa. Today, we are selling vaccines to other countries."
During his Wajir address, Ruto further gave further insight into why the government was keen on investing in the welfare of livestock as he revealed his intention to invest in the local leather industry.
In November, Ruto spoke during the Maa Cultural Festival held near the Samburu National Reserve in Samburu County where he revealed he had allocated KSh 1 billion for restocking of livestock lost during drought in the Northern parts of the country.
The President further announced the government's target of vaccinating 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep.
