President William Ruto was one of the richest students while on campus at the University of Nairobi (UoN), according to former schoolmate and Suba North MP Millicent Odhiambo.
On Thursday evening, February 4, Millie referred to their school days while deconstructing Ruto's use of the hustler slogan term.
Speaking in an interview on KTN News, she alleged that she and the DP were in the same year at the UoN and served together in the Christian Union (CU). She added that Ruto was driving when other students walked to school.
"This notion that this is a guy (Ruto) who struggled and was so poor and stuff is a lot of baloney. I was with him in the Christian Union, and immediately we left the university campus; some of us used to walk and eat maize worth Ksh10 while he would be cruising in vehicles written 'Youth for Kanu 92'," Millie stated.
The legislator stated that the DP, who has previously claimed to be a chicken seller, could only have done the business as a hobby.
"He never hustled and cannot purport to identify with people that he calls hustlers," the MP said.
She further indicated that everybody had hustled in one way or another before reaching a certain point in life.
"The dynasty versus hustler slogan as well as the ethnic talk are two conversations that we must be very very careful as a country about. The popularity of something doesn't necessarily make it a good thing," she added.
Ruto has been championing for the hustler narrative, where he seeks to gain popularity among ordinary Kenyans, in a bid to clinch the top seat in 2022.
Currently, he is on a three-day tour to the Coast. Yesterday, he defended the slogan, saying it aimed at empowering poor Kenyans.
“This wheelbarrow narrative is a very serious and complex economic programme. Other parties with symbols like cockerel (Kanu), Umbrella (Wiper Party) and Orange (ODM) should tell us what they stand for,” he said.
He condemned critics of the hustler narrative, terming them as selfish individuals.
“What is the problem with the hustler nation? They want to maintain the status quo. Even if they say otherwise or oppose me, I will remain steadfast until Kenyans become equal,” said Ruto.
