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Thursday, November 16, 2023 –Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has shared details why he chose to snub President William Ruto’s state-of-the Nation address in Parliament.
Speaking on Citizen Tv hosted by Trevor Ombija on Thursday November 16, the vocal senator observed that he is a marked man in the House and to avoid embarrassing the head of State, he had to safely stay away from the House until Ruto was done with his speech.
Sifuna noted that the amount of lies Ruto spewed in the address could have triggered a counter dress-down from him (Sifuna) and this would see the Speaker Amason Kingi ban him for a period of six months.
“For me, I am a marked man in that House. Both Speakers are under instructions to reign in on key figures in the Opposition to make sure that we don’t speak truth to power. You just say ng’we and are you are out for three months. You shout again and you’re out for six months.
“I suspected that I was going to shout and say that, that is a lie,” Sifuna said,” said Sifuna.
The legislator also claimed that parliamentary speakers were instructed to silence opposition figures, hindering them from speaking their mind out.
According to Sifuna, Ruto once lied to the nation that a certain important rural road had been completed construction in Bungoma County only to find out that the road was not under any construction.
“I was once forced to travel back home to my rural to confirm what that road was and whether it had bee completed only to find out that the president had still lied,” he recounted.
The Nairobi Senator argued that Ruto should acknowledge the nation’s challenges, criticizing the Kenya Kwanza regime for glossing over issues, instead of mitigating genuine struggles facing citizens.
Also on the morning program panel, National Assembly Chief Whip Silvanus Osoro, defended Ruto, saying that the Government is well aware of the country’s difficulties.
The South Mugirango MP further explained the limitations in reducing fuel prices, attributing it to the country’s high debt and the absence of fuel subsidies.
On his part, Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot characterized Ruto’s speech as more focused on United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party politics.
Lawyer Aukot called for an assessment of Ruto’s political promises in contrast to the current situation, challenging the narrative that the president’s numerous trips have significantly benefited the country.
Ruto addressed the nation on Thursday November 9.
