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Kenya: Don’t Mind Him, He is a Stupid Man – Ruto on Atwoli

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4 years ago

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Nairobi — Deputy President William Ruto has described trade unionist and political activist Francis Atwoli as stupid, saying he has failed to champion their interests of millions workers he represents.

Ruto made the remarks when he addressed a group of Kenyans living in the United Kingdom in London on Sunday.

He took issue with Atwoli’s move to stonewall a proposal that sought to increase contributions to the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) for people with higher incomes.

“How do you explain that a trade unionist would defend a system where the Deputy President earning Sh1 million pays Sh1,700 to NHIF while a peasant making Sh5,000 a month pays Sh500 which is 10 per cent of their income?” he posed.

Ruto’s statement followed similar remarks where he referred to Atwoli as a man who exhibits juvenile behavior describing him as “the old man who wears chains around his neck.”

Atwoli is a bitter critic of Ruto and is known to have put up a “Stop Ruto Campaign” often saying “Ruto will not be on the ballot” in the August 9 presidential election.

He later changed his statement following an uproar from Ruto’s camp which claimed a sinister motive by unnamed State operatives to assassinate Ruto saying instead that President Uhuru Kenyatta will not hand over the presidency to “a thief.”

Atwoli was on the receiving end from Ruto’s camp in February after he suggested the DP would commit suicide after losing the presidential contest to his archrival Raila Odinga who enjoys President Kenyatta’s support.