President William Ruto has reprimanded a section of Kenya Kwanza MPs for criticising his administration's policies, warning them that they could be unwittingly putting their heads on the political chopping board ahead of the 2027 elections.
The MPs were met with tough talk from the President, who said they were not following Kenya Kwanza's policies, particularly on the Affordable Housing Programme and the Universal Health Coverage project, and should do so henceforth.
He was speaking at the ongoing joint National Executive Retreat and Parliamentary Group consultative meeting in Naivasha, Nakuru.
Dr Ruto, who has been grappling with the fact that the ground has turned hostile as frustration grows over the economic situation, exuded confidence that he was still firmly in charge of KK MPs and was keen to counter dissent within his coalition.
“I want to ask MPs to pay special attention to some things we are doing because we are setting up the exam of 2027. You have the leakage of the exam and what you do with it is your problem. I have to remind you that I am a man on a mission and I mean it, and people should watch this space. There is no other government in Parliament, it’s our MPs, and you are the government, so stop pointing at some other government. Don't even imagine that there is another government,” Dr Ruto told Kenya Kwanza MPs.
The President told the Kenya Kwanza troops that they have the necessary numbers both at the Senate and National Assembly to assist in transforming the country.
MPs last week started the debate on the Affordable Housing Bill 2023 to entrench the controversial Housing Levy into law in a bid to comply with court orders.
The bill sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah seeks to provide a legal framework for the establishment of the Affordable Housing Fund and give effect to the right to accessible and adequate housing as provided for in the Constitution.Gathoni Wamuchomba , have criticised the President's affordable housing programme.
Some of the Kenya Kwanza MPs and Cabinet secretaries at the ongoing joint National Executive Retreat and Parliamentary Group consultative meeting in Naivasha on February 19, 2024.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
CSs who fail to appear in plenary at the National Assembly to answer questions from lawmakers and called for a reshuffle.
President William Ruto, his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Kenya Kwanza MPs and Cabinet Secretaries at the ongoing joint National Executive Retreat and Parliamentary Group consultative meeting in Naivasha on February 19, 2024.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
2,500 job opportunities for nurses secured by the Kenyan government in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have attracted only 1,000 applicants, with a surprising 500 of them being male, despite the positions being exclusively for females according to Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore.
But the president wondered if the MPs were serious about securing employment opportunities for their constituents if they were not informed of the deals his government was signing on labour export.t Rigathi Gachagua pointed accusing fingers at the CSs accusing them of sometimes treating MPs with contempt. The DP said there were complaints about their conduct.
President William Ruto addresses the ongoing joint National Executive Retreat and Parliamentary Group consultative meeting in Naivasha on February 19, 2024.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
He also implored Parliament to consider striking a balance when summoning ministers and allowing them to work for the betterment of Kenyans.
Read: Nurses' union, governors clash over plan to send healthcare workers abroad
On his part, Dr Ruto said: “Their problem is that it's us implementing the housing program and not them. They’re seeing it's doable yet they wasted time on reggae.”National Dialogue Committee Report.
