Dagoretti South Member of Parliament John Kiarie was on the receiving end of criticism from Kenyans after claiming that the cost of living is coming down largely due to the measures the national government has put in place to address the situation.
Speaking during a church service on Sunday, the MP defended President William Ruto from criticism from large sections of Kenyans who have recently been piling on the national government for failing to arrest the situation after the Head of State promised he would in the buildup to the 2022 general elections.
The MP took a cue from senior Kenya Kwanza leaders in claiming that the cost of some maize flour brands has reduced from the previous Ksh250 to Ksh135, which he attributed to the fertiliser subsidies introduced by the Head of State.
"The previous subsidies (fuel & maize flour) were hurting our economy. Through his innovation, however, the President (Ruto) came up with a more sustainable subsidy which has gone on to reduce the cost of living," he remarked.
However, his remarks were not well received by Kenyans who accused him of misrepresenting facts to endear himself to President William Ruto.
Commenting online, some Kenyans accused the MP popularly known as KJ of contradicting himself.
Earlier in his career, Kiarie was a comedian who acted in skits that featured in the popular Redykyulass show where he constantly mocked government officials in President Moi's administration including the then Head of State for lying to Kenyans.
"This is another reason why we should vet a leader and not vote based on popularity," one person commented.
Kenyans were angered by the remarks arguing that the MP had changed his earlier firm stand for political expediency.
"My brother John Kiarie, you have a long life ahead of you. You are an MP, do not rely on Ruto for survival. Break free," advised Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai.
Others argued that the price of maize flour and other commodities had gone down due to a bumper harvest season and not because of Ruto's interventions.
Kiarie was compared to the late John Joseph Kamotho, a former minister in President Daniel Moi's administration who defended the then government blindly even when common sense dictated otherwise.
Kiarie, in past skits, used to mock JJ Kamotho for always agreeing with Moi.
