New Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has triggered strong reactions by Kenyans after a video surfaced of him referring to the wheelbarrow economics.
While discussing jobs in Zambia, the new President emphasized that "wheelbarrow" jobs are not "real jobs" and promised better alternative solutions for job seekers in his country,
Hichilema, discussing the lack of jobs for youth in Zambia, happened to mention the word "wheelbarrow", condemning the then Zambian government for not providing Zambian youth with jobs.
‘’There are no jobs. I am talking of real jobs, I am not talking of pushing wheelbarrows to move garbage at the street corner," the head of state stated.
Kenyans on social media reacted to the video, with staunch supporters of Deputy President William Ruto being angered by the comments, while others were delighted by his sentiments.
Even though Hichilema may have been unaware of the Deputy President's famous "wheelbarrow" campaign at the time of his interview, Kenyans were quick to chip in their two cents about the comments.
"Unfortunately that propaganda is never working, Ruto support base keeps on adding up with his bottom-up economic model," a supporter opined.
Another one told the Zambian President off, saying that he had no business in commenting on matters related to Kenyan politics.
"I think Kenya's affairs are totally different from that of Zambia. Mind your own business and leave us alone," stated one of Ruto's supporters.
Others who are not supporters of the Deputy President delighted in Hichilema's comments, with one social media user castigating the second in command over his "wheelbarrow" philosophy.
"Ruto is just shaming us with this idea. It's the reason why he at 8 a.m. will at Sugoi crying," noted one the non-supporters of Ruto.
The Zambian President was sworn in on Tuesday, August 24, at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia, in a ceremony attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader, Raila Odinga.
