President William Ruto has accused individuals he claims orchestrated the Gen Z protests of resurfacing with fresh propaganda aimed at inciting young Kenyans.
The President dismissed claims Parliament had passed legislation banning the live streaming of election results, describing the allegations as deliberate misinformation intended to whip up public emotions.
“I have seen them again. They want to start another propaganda on live streaming of election results,” the President said, warning leaders against using the youth.
He questioned why anyone would seek to abolish the live streaming of election results, insisting that transparency in the electoral process was critical to safeguarding democracy.
“Why would anyone want to stop live streaming of election results?” he asked.
The President also defended the sale of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) shares, accusing powerful cartels and financial speculators of fighting the deal after failing to manipulate the process for their own benefit.
Ruto claimed that individuals accustomed to acquiring government shares at throwaway prices before selling them at exorbitant rates were unhappy with his administration’s decision to protect the value of public assets.
He alleged the individuals he described as shylocks had hoped to acquire KPC shares at Sh5 each and subsequently sell them at Sh9, making huge profits at the expense of taxpayers. He spoke during a church service at St Joseph’s Seminary in Mwingi Central, Kitui county.
“I see people make noise about Dangote because he bought shares in KPC. The same people said the price was too high, that we overpriced,” Ruto said.
The head of state said the same individuals who had initially accused the government of forcing state agencies to purchase KPC shares were now questioning the transaction after Nigerian billionaire investor Aliko Dangote reportedly acquired shares at a higher price.
Ruto questioned why the critics had suddenly become uncomfortable with the participation of a foreign investor when they had previously challenged the involvement of government institutions.
He argued that the development had exposed what he described as the selfish interests behind opposition to the transaction.
According to the President, some influential individuals had perfected the practice of manipulating the sale of public shares by pushing down their prices before acquiring them cheaply and later selling them at substantially higher prices.
“The same people claimed that the government forced state institutions to buy shares at KPC. Now a private investor is buying the shares, and they are again making noise,” he said.
According to Ruto, the shylocks wanted the shares to be valued lower so they could resell them at higher prices for selfish gain.
He maintained his administration would not allow public assets to be undervalued to benefit a few well-connected individuals.
“They are used to free things. Some of them bought Kenya Power shares at Sh2 and are now selling them at Sh19. That business they will do elsewhere now that I am President,” Ruto said.
The President maintained the government was determined to ensure Kenyans received fair value from the disposal of public assets, dismissing criticism that the KPC transaction had been mishandled.
His remarks appeared aimed at countering growing questions surrounding the valuation of KPC shares, the participation of state agencies and the involvement of private investors.
Meanwhile, Ruto used the Kitui church service to intensify his Usawa ni Sawa campaign in Ukambani, the political stronghold of opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
He assured residents his administration would not discriminate against any region in the distribution of development projects, regardless of its political affiliation.
Ruto said Kitui, Machakos and Makueni counties would receive their fair share of national resources, insisting that no part of the country would be left behind.
“All the Ukambani counties will not be left behind. All the development happening in other regions will also happen here,” he said.
The President maintained that his administration’s development agenda was anchored on the equitable distribution of resources rather than political considerations.
Speaking at the same function, MPs Vincent Musyoka (Mwala) and Rachael Nyamai (Kitui South) lauded the President’s efforts in the region, despite his lack of electoral support there.
“You have given us development projects notwithstanding how the people from the region voted,” Nyamai said.
Musyoka, while acknowledging the President’s intervention, appealed to the region to reciprocate in 2027 by voting for Ruto’s re-election.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The President dismissed claims that Parliament had passed legislation banning the live streaming of election results, describing the allegations as deliberate misinformation intended to whip up public emotions.
