Deputy President William Ruto ignited debate when he made a remark about one of the world's richest entrepreneurs, Bill Gates, on Thursday, December 19, 2019, during the Kambi Kuku Auction in Jua Kali, Uasin Gishu County.
Ruto stated that the Microsoft founder had once affirmed that chicken farming business was a venture that could propel one to become wealthy.
The DP, who is a chicken farmer, used to sell them to motorists plying the busy Eldoret- Malaba Highway before launching his political career.
"Poultry farming is the best. They are easy to maintain and they can even look for their own food. With 20 eggs, they multiply 20 times, not like cows which only give birth once.
"Bill Gates says that chicken farming is the best way to avert poverty. Chicken farming has money," Ruto stated.
His sentiments elicited mixed reactions from Kenyans, with some praising the DP and others lashing at him over the remarks.
"Congratulations our DP indeed, if the effort people use to hate you was the same effort they use to hustle they could be far," Wambui Kamau lauded.
"Your boss has monopolized the milk industry. You have monopolized chicken and egg markets," Koech Koech argued.
"When did Bill Gates say that? He's never dealt in chicken business to advise anyone on that.Ruto na uwongo (Ruto is lying)," Nick Lujiri opined.
"You've kept this secret for long, please help Kenyans out of abject poverty," one Don pleaded.
During the auction, 14,000 chicken were sold at Ksh 800, raising over Ksh 11 million.
Ruto spent a whooping Ksh1.1 million during the open-air sale, which was Ksh100,000 more than his boss - President Uhuru Kenyatta, who had sent him with Ksh1 million.
