President William Ruto's Economic advisor, David Ndii, on Saturday, stated that he did not need permission from anyone to call out Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the government for wrongdoing.
In a statement on his social media account, the economic advisor argued that the DP was his agemate and classmate and would call him out for wrongdoings without fear of apprehension.
He also expressed that the DP occasionally calls him out when he goes astray.
Ndii added that one of the major stumbling blocks in rectifying economic mistakes in President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration was the lack of accountability and constructive criticism. He warned that the same mistake cannot be repeated in Ruto's administration.
"Rigathi is my riika (agemate). We were classmates, actually. I don’t need authority to admonish him. He does the same occasionally.
"Uhuru CSs I met would whisper that that they agreed with me but they were afraid of Uhuru’s famous tantrums. So we are paying the price of good men and women lacking the courage to do the right thing," he stated.
On the other hand, he warned those in government against instilling fear in him for speaking his truth, reiterating that he would not turn into a sycophant.
He maintained that the Ruto administration was elected on the principle of allowing Kenyans being free to criticise the government.
"We were elected on a platform of issue politics, economic issues in particular, and specifically against tribal and personality cult politics. I owe it to myself to hold the line, no matter the size of the toes that need to be stepped on, or the consequences," he stated.
Gachagua has previously called out Ndii over his comments on the high cost of living.
A case in point was after the revision of fuel prices by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) which saw the fuel prices hit the Ksh200 mark.
Ndii explained that the current harsh economic times were a result of failed policies and poor management in the Uhuru administration.
However, Gachagua reprimanded him alongside Public Service CS Moses Kuria, explaining that the duo needed to show sympathy to Kenyans who were burdened by the high cost of living.
"You do not address your employer with arrogance. Do so with humility and decorum. Kenyans, like the rest of the world, are going through difficult economic times and leaders should address them with sensitivity and empathy," he stated.
