This archive report was first published on 25 May 2020.
On Sunday, a contaminated relief food consignment was distributed in Kiambu's Kikuyu constituency, sparking concerns about the safety of the food aid.
Deputy President William Ruto's office has denied any involvement in the distribution of the contaminated food, with Ruto's press aide, David Mugonyi, stating that all relief food programs funded by the William Ruto Foundation are distributed through clearly laid out channels.
According to Mugonyi, the foundation only delivers relief packages through formal and known networks, such as churches and mosques, with the participation of local leaders to ensure a track and trace mechanism.
He noted that similar food distribution initiatives in parts of Nairobi have gone on for months without any incident, and that the distribution of the contaminated food was a case of political thuggery aimed at discrediting Ruto.
“It is clear that those behind the distribution of contaminated food are engaging in political thuggery for other reasons. It is revolting, despicable, callous and cruel to play with the health and lives of innocent human beings to score political points,” Mugonyi stated.
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah also issued a statement distancing himself from the distribution, which he linked to the onslaught against the Deputy President.
“All our interventions are done through your Known church leaders and from an identified list of beneficiaries identified by religious and Community leaders,” he said in his warning locals against receiving relief food outside laid down structures.
The distribution of the contaminated food came days after Ichung’wah accompanied DP Ruto in distributing food supplies in his Kikuyu Constituency.
The food distributed on Sunday was in packages resembling the relief distributed by the two leaders last week.
