The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, has alleged that Deputy President William Ruto has a hand in the high fuel prices that have been experienced in the country over the last couple of months.
Speaking in Kinoru Stadium, Meru county on Saturday, June 18, Atwoli alleged that Ruto influenced the appointment of Charles Keter as Energy Cabinet Secretary who messed up the ministry.
According to Atwoli, Keter was Ruto's minister in the Cabinet and during his tenure, the COTU boss alleged that he awarded fuel import licenses to cartels who messed up the market.
"He says the coming election is about maize flour, fuel and poverty, but let me tell you, the mess we have with fuel in this country is because of William Ruto.
"His Minister was in charge of the Energy Ministry which handles fuel. They issued licences to cartels. Be very careful with the August 9 elections," Atwoli warned the Meru residents.
Atwoli further accused the Deputy President of speaking from both sides of his mouth by scheming to absorb himself from the current economic crisis that has seen the cost of living hit a record high.
The COTU boss also pointed an accusing finger at the DP for allegedly messing up the maize sector.
Atwoli called on the electorate to elect Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, stating that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader is best suited to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Further, he hit out at DP Ruto and his allies for castigating him for campaigning for Raila Odinga.
On Thursday, June 16, the COTU boss mocked the DP and joked he was willing to advise him on how to become president. He acknowledged that the DP had the stature of becoming a Head of State, describing him as a shrewd politician.
However, he stated that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party candidate was surrounded by the wrong advisors.
"If Ruto comes to me for help, I will help him greatly. He is a very good leader and he is shrewd. What he is lacking is good advisors and is very much chest-thumping.
"I will advise him correctly on how to become a president and I can tell you for sure he will become a president, but if he still calls me mzee wa nyororo (the man with chains) he will still languish in those problems," he stated.
