Deputy President William Ruto on Monday, August 23, reacted to critics of his 'hustler narrative' and 'bottom-up' economic model, thanking them for popularizing his candidacy for the presidency.
Speaking in Naivasha, where the second in command held the Western Kenya Economic Forum, Ruto welcomed the criticism he has been receiving and noted that the criticism shows how much people had taken interest in his economic agenda.
"At least they are recognizing that we are having a conversation, and they are also appreciating that this is the only conversation in Kenya today; they do not have an alternative conversation. That in itself is an appreciation that we are driving in the right direction," noted the Deputy President, much to the excitement of leaders who had flanked him as he spoke to journalists.
The Deputy President spoke about the inclusion of Kenyans' ideas in solving Kenya's problems, saying that he will include the input of citizens while refining his Bottom -Up economic model. He appeared confident and excited at how his economic agenda is being received across the country.
"I'm persuaded that the country is ready for this new conversation. Every citizen wants to know how their ideas and suggestions can become part of the nation's way forward," stated the Deputy President.
When asked to respond directly to specific criticism against his economic model by the Cabinet Secretary for Information and Communication, Joe Mucheru, the Deputy President declined.
He, however, generalized the response and emphasized that he believed his bottom-up economic model was the only talk of the town, and that other leaders had no agenda to sell to Kenyans, hence the constant debates about his hustler narrative.
The Technology Cabinet Secretary had indirectly called out Ruto's economic model and wheelbarrow rhetoric, saying that the Deputy President was misleading Kenyans with misplaced ideas.
Mucheru, who was speaking at the launch of the National Council of Churches of Kenya's (NCCK) Youth Fragility report earlier on Monday, August 23, at the national youth conference in Kiambu, took a swipe at Ruto, calling his economic model "outdated".
“I am a student of economics, and I do not see how the successful economic uplifting of our people can be carried on with outdated solutions,"
“Some of these far-fetched economic fantasies are anchored on falsehoods, sprinkled with proclamations of sanctity by leaders who should know better,” stated the CS.
Mucheru went on to warn Kenyans against Ruto's frequent use of ecclesiastical readings to appeal to large religious groups.
“These Bible-waving politicians have especially targeted the youth because they think that the Kenyan youth are gullible and easy to manipulate,” said Mucheru.
