‘You Have An Evil Spirit Of Opposition!’ – Ruto Fires Back Kalonzo
On Tuesday, December 10, President William Ruto chastised his political opponents for repeatedly criticizing government projects.
In what looked to be a sly swipe at Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the President singled out leaders who opposed the impending animal immunization campaign.
Speaking at the Pastoralist Leadership Summit in Wajir County, Ruto bemoaned the presence of ‘evil spirits’ among leaders who he believed were out to undermine his rule.
“There is an evil spirit in Kenya that is resident in some leaders,” the President said, “They churn out falsehood and oppose everything for the sake of opposing.”
Ruto: There is an evil spirit in some leaders in Kenya. They churn out falsehood for the purpose of opposing. "Anybody opposing vaccination of diseases is mad, unreasonable and possibly stupid. Or they don't have cattle. If you don't have cattle, shut up pic.twitter.com/YjuStWxsC7
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) December 10, 2024
He added, “Foot and mouth disease, PPR are diseases we have been fighting since I was born. It is not anything new. So anybody opposing vaccination to eliminate these diseases is simply mad and unreasonable.”
In what has become a signature outburst from the President, he also asked leaders who were unfamiliar with livestock management not to weigh in on the vaccine debate.
The President’s statements come only weeks after Kalonzo, one of Ruto’s most vocal opponents in recent years, urged Kenyans to reject the government’s vaccine push, which is due to begin in January 2025.
According to Kalonzo, the immunization program was supported by foreign institutions seeking to introduce medications that would affect cattle genomes.
“We take note with alarm that these vaccinations developed overseas have been rejected everywhere else in the world, including the home country United States,” Kalonzo alleged at the SKM command center alongside Eugene Wamalwa, Jeremiah Kioni, and Ferdinand Waititu.
During his speech, Ruto also refuted Kalonzo’s claims that the vaccines will be imported from abroad, stating that Kenya had enough resources to create its own vaccines.
“And for the avoidance of doubt, the vaccines that will be used, are produced in Kenya, by Kenyans,” Ruto added.
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“Kevevapi, our institution is going to produce these vaccines. We have one of the largest vaccine producers in Africa. Today, we are selling vaccines to other countries.”
During his Wajir talk, Ruto explained why the government was interested in investing in animal welfare, revealing plans to engage in the local leather industry.
Ruto spoke at the Maa Cultural Festival in the Samburu National Reserve in Samburu County in November, revealing that he had set aside KSh 1 billion to resupply livestock lost during the drought in the country’s north.
The President also declared the government’s goal of vaccinating 22 million livestock and 50 million goats and sheep.
‘You Have An Evil Spirit Of Opposition!’ – Ruto Fires Back Kalonzo
