President William Ruto has criticized Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka for questioning the source of funds used to pay bonuses to sugarcane farmers in Mumias, Kakamega County.
Speaking on Thursday, January 23, in Busia County, President Ruto declared that the funds used for sugarcane farmers' bonuses came from the same source as those for tea and coffee farmers.
The head of state affirmed that sugarcane farmers are also Kenyan citizens and asserted that with proper management, farmers can be paid by their respective companies without government involvement.
“There are some leaders asking why the government has paid bonuses to sugarcane farmers. Is a sugarcane farmer not a Kenyan? They are asking where the president has got the funds to pay the sugarcane farmers. Where do the funds used to pay bonuses for tea and coffee farmers come from?
"Where those funds come from is where the funds for sugarcane farmers also come from. That watermelon guy is questioning that. Is his head okay? I want to tell him that when there’s proper management, farmers will be paid by respective companies and not the government,” President Ruto remarked.
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At the same time, the president dismissed claims that he was campaigning for his re-election and noted that the time for campaigning will come.
His remarks follow Kalonzo's statement on Wednesday, where he questioned the source of funds used for the sugarcane farmers' bonuses, alleging that the payments were not included in the budget.
The wiper leader further claimed that President Ruto was crafting his re-election campaign strategy under the guise of development tours.
“Wait a minute Mr. President, this Ksh150 million for sugarcane farmers, where are you getting this money from? It is not in our budget. That is like a handout or a bribe. If it is a bonus, it has to come through the processes. These are the days of accountability,” Kalonzo stated.
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