DP Ruto to Blame for Ksh100 Unga Deficit - Martha Karua

Narc Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua and Deputy President William Ruto at a past event.
Narc Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua and Deputy President William Ruto at a past event.
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Azimio la Umoja presidential running mate, Martha Karua, has pointed fingers at Deputy President William Ruto over the ongoing maize flour shortage in the country.

Speaking during a rally at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega county on Wednesday, July 2, Karua claimed that the subsidy unveiled by President Uhuru Kenyatta has already been hived off by corruption cartels within government ranks.

She blamed the DP for leading the team of corrupt officials claiming that his name has, in the past, been associated with such shady dealings.

"President Uhuru Kenyatta already directed that the price of maize flour should reduce and unveiled a subsidy. Has the price reduced? Do you know why?

Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua during the running mates debate on July 19, 2022.
Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua during the running mates debate on July 19, 2022.
Presidential Debate Kenya

"It is not here because when he issued the directive, the corrupt were already in government and have their leader who is the Deputy President. They always divert the funds," Karua explained.

She, however, promised her supporters that should former Prime Minister Raila Odinga ascend to power, she would personally deal with graft cartels frustrating government efforts to provide services to the masses.

"I have already been given duties to oversee Justice and the Constitution affairs. Baba and Martha are the answer to corruption in Kenya. We shall defend the right of everyone including the opposition," she added.

Kenyans had lamented that supermarkets and retail outlets displayed empty shelves in the weeks succeeding the directive by the Head of State.

Some outlets were rationing the quantities customers were allowed to purchase at a go while others asked customers to purchase maize flour alongside other products.

On July 20, the Head of State directed all millers to lower maize flour prices to Ksh100 from the Ksh230 that the product was retailing at.

On Tuesday, August 2, Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro, however, mocked the proposed Ksh100 unga promised by the government, arguing that money meant for subsidising maize millers was embezzled and is allegedly being used to fund the Azimio campaigns.

Agriculture Principal Secretary, Francis Owino, in a separate statement, explained that the Ksh100 unga has not hit the shelves because of an existing agreement between millers and retailers.

Owino explained that maize millers are shying from selling their flour to supermarkets and other retailers over a longer credit period leading to the shortage.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro Speaking on Saturday August 21
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro Speaking on Saturday, August 21
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