This archive report was first published on 1 July 2019.
Deputy President William Ruto has been at the forefront of criticizing opposition leader Raila Odinga, accusing him of hindering development projects in the country.
On Monday, Ruto launched another attack on Odinga, this time at a women's empowerment forum in Ekerenyo, Nyamira County.
According to Ruto, Odinga has consistently opposed government development projects, terming them corrupt.
“You were against the Eurobond, because you said it was corrupt; you were against the Northern Collector Tunnel, because you said it was corrupt; you were against us building the (Standard Gauge) Railway, you told us it was corrupt,” Ruto said.
He further accused Odinga of being the 'lord of poverty' and wanting poverty to persist in the country.
“You’re opposed to any development in our nation because you believe this country should be poor so that people can continue to support you, and I am telling you we will work night and day to eliminate poverty in this nation so that your kingdom of poverty has no place in Kenya,” Ruto said.
However, the ODM party quickly responded to Ruto's remarks, terming them a desperate attempt to divert attention from reports of an alleged assassination plot against him.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna castigated Ruto, saying his name has come up in all instances of corruption in the recent past.
The opposition party also threw the title of 'lord of poverty' back at Ruto, accusing him of crippling Kenyans by making them dependent on handouts and cash-for-favours.
