Latest news with #Ruto
Ya Biladi
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Kenya National Assembly Speaker receives Polisario representative
Nearly a month after Kenya officially voiced support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, the Polisario's main ally in Nairobi has resurfaced. On Thursday, June 19, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula, met with the Polisario's representative in Kenya. «Today, I hosted His Excellency Mohamed-Liman Ali Ami, the Ambassador of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, who paid me a courtesy call at my office at Parliament Buildings», Wetangula posted. «Our discussions focused on strengthening the bilateral relationship between our two nations and exploring ways to deepen diplomatic engagement for the mutual benefit of our citizens. I assured the Ambassador that Kenya, as a committed member of the African Union (AU), stands in solidarity with the Sahrawi Republic and remains steadfast in supporting and safeguarding its interests as a sovereign state», he added. Wetangula is widely seen as the Polisario's key ally within the Kenyan government. According to an October 2022 report by the South African-based Institute for Security Studies, Wetangula, a former foreign minister, played a pivotal role in convincing President William Ruto to delete a tweet posted on September 14, 2022, in which he had announced Kenya's withdrawal of recognition of the «SADR». Wetangula is a powerful political figure in Kenya. He heads the FORD-Kenya party, a member of the Kenya Kwanza coalition that backed Ruto's successful 2022 presidential bid. Just weeks after Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch met with President Ruto in Dakar on January 26, 2023, Wetangula traveled to Algeria, where he met with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and reaffirmed his support for the Polisario. He reiterated this position again in November 2023, after several African political leaders signed the « Tangier Appeal » calling for the expulsion of the «SADR» from the African Union. Following a meeting with the Polisario representative in Nairobi, Wetangula stated, «I reassured him of my support, noting their membership in the AU, akin to our shared responsibility.» In contrast, during a working visit to Morocco in late May, Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi declared that «the Republic of Kenya considers the autonomy plan as the only sustainable approach to resolving the Sahara issue and intends to collaborate with states sharing this vision to promote its implementation». Just one day after that statement, Wetangula hosted the Algerian ambassador in Nairobi.
Ya Biladi
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Kenya National Assembly Speaker receives Polisario representative
Nearly a month after Kenya officially voiced support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, the Polisario's main ally in Nairobi has resurfaced. On Thursday, June 19, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula, met with the Polisario's representative in Kenya. «Today, I hosted His Excellency Mohamed-Liman Ali Ami, the Ambassador of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, who paid me a courtesy call at my office at Parliament Buildings», Wetangula posted. «Our discussions focused on strengthening the bilateral relationship between our two nations and exploring ways to deepen diplomatic engagement for the mutual benefit of our citizens. I assured the Ambassador that Kenya, as a committed member of the African Union (AU), stands in solidarity with the Sahrawi Republic and remains steadfast in supporting and safeguarding its interests as a sovereign state», he added. Wetangula is widely seen as the Polisario's key ally within the Kenyan government. According to an October 2022 report by the South African-based Institute for Security Studies, Wetangula, a former foreign minister, played a pivotal role in convincing President William Ruto to delete a tweet posted on September 14, 2022, in which he had announced Kenya's withdrawal of recognition of the «SADR». Wetangula is a powerful political figure in Kenya. He heads the FORD-Kenya party, a member of the Kenya Kwanza coalition that backed Ruto's successful 2022 presidential bid. Just weeks after Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch met with President Ruto in Dakar on January 26, 2023, Wetangula traveled to Algeria, where he met with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and reaffirmed his support for the Polisario. He reiterated this position again in November 2023, after several African political leaders signed the « Tangier Appeal » calling for the expulsion of the «SADR» from the African Union. Following a meeting with the Polisario representative in Nairobi, Wetangula stated, «I reassured him of my support, noting their membership in the AU, akin to our shared responsibility.» In contrast, during a working visit to Morocco in late May, Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi declared that «the Republic of Kenya considers the autonomy plan as the only sustainable approach to resolving the Sahara issue and intends to collaborate with states sharing this vision to promote its implementation». Just one day after that statement, Wetangula hosted the Algerian ambassador in Nairobi. Presidential and legislative elections in Kenya are scheduled for August 2027.
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
Facing protests and backlash, Ruto says his presidency is bigger than the 5-year term limit
His sentiment comes after critics and opposition called for his tenure to be a one-term run. Ruto, who has come under heavy scrutiny in the last year, has found his reputation go from a president with a hustler's spirit and empathy for the poor to one who seems distant. Currently, some Kenyans have taken to the streets to p rotest the killing of blogger and educator Albert Ojwang in police custody, an incident which has reopened a nagging wound for the Ruto government. Last year, Kenyans called for the resignation of the president under the Ruto must go banner, a demand which has resurfaced following Albert Ojwang's tragedy. In light of such protests, critics and opposition have also latched onto the idea, condemning the Ruto administration. The president has, however, publicly defended his term, arguing that his accomplishments should be evaluated more than his tenure, as reported by The Star. What William Ruto said 'I will not allow anybody to define me in terms of time, terms, and elections, no. This project is not about how many terms you serve or which elections come this way or that way," Ruto said. "I want leadership in Kenya to be defined by how much impact we are making and the transformation we are undertaking, and how good a foundation we are laying for generations to come. That is what Kenya should be defined by; that is how leadership should be defined in Kenya." William Ruto urged all leaders to make long-term decisions for the future and stated what he is concentrating on delivering to Kenyans. He noted that his policies are for the next generation, not for tomorrow or the next election. 'We have wasted a lot of time; we have wasted eternity chasing the next election and the next most popular thing, and in the process, our country has suffered. We are going to change that trajectory by God's Grace, and this country is going to go places,' he remarked.
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
‘I will dismantle them': Kenyan president, Ruto, dares opposition, signals reluctance to step down
Given the proximity of the Kenyan presidential elections, campaign banter between potential rivals has begun making rounds, including sentiments from the country's current president, William Ruto. Kenya's President William Ruto addresses opposition criticisms during a church event in Kivaywa Primary School. Ruto accuses opposition figures of tribalism and lacking actionable plans for Kenya's future. He asserts the importance of creating jobs, improving education, and addressing healthcare challenges. During a church event held at Kivaywa Primary School on Sunday, June 15th, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, expressed concerns about his opposition's plans for the future of the East African country, especially considering his suspicion of their alleged tribalistic agenda. He used this concern as a basis for a stance that seemed too assertive, as he noted that he has no plans to relinquish administrative control to them. 'These other people (opposition) have no plan, don't waste time on them. We will not hand over power to people who have no plan,' the president expressed. 'Their only plan is that 'Ruto must go.' How will that help Kenyans and the country?' Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper, Eugene Wamalwa of the DAP-K, and former Interior Chief Security Officer Fred Matiang'i were among the opposition figures whom Ruto criticized for their inability to change the nation, as seen on The Standard. 'These people cannot do anything. They just want to tell stories. Will you accept the mere rhetoric of people who have no plan?' the president presented the question to the congregation. He then went on to label accusations of tribalism, division, and hatred against the opposition, urging them to keep the Kenyan people away from their battles, and instead face him. 'If they have a problem with me, they should come and face me. I will dismantle them. The important thing is to plan how to create jobs for our youth, improve education, and healthcare. That should be the priority for Kakamega, Western Kenya, and the nation,' he said. 'People of Kakamega and Western Kenya have long suffered from unbalanced budgets. This time, we have allocated Sh2 billion for roads from Kakamega Airstrip to Shinyalu and Chepsonoi,' the president added. Fresh Ruto must go chants Ruto recently had a run-in with the Kenyan people, who expressed displeasure at his initial silence concerning the death of the social media personality and educator Albert Ojwang. This fresh round of criticism opened the conversation of Ruto's popularity, with protesters under the banner of 'Ruto must go' calling yet again for the resignation of the president. He would later speak, stating 'I fully expect that the truth about what happened to Ojwang will be established in due course, and that justice will be served,' Ruto said. 'Like most Kenyans, and especially as a parent, I received the news of the death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody with utter shock and deep dismay. I take this moment to extend my heartfelt condolences to Meshack Ojwang and his family for the cruel loss of their beloved son," he added.
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Protests Erupt In Kenya After Death of Blogger in Police Custody
Widespread protests have erupted in Kenya following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in Homa Bay, Western Kenya, after criticizing Eliud Lagat, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, on social media. This comes as the William Ruto administration is already facing increased pressure, with declining public support due to similar incidents. June 2024 saw major protests in Nairobi over the passing of the national finance bill. The #RejectFinanceBill2024 Protests led to the storming of the national parliament and the killing of at least 50 people by police forces. The police have come under increased pressure over the past year as countless reports of abductions emerged across the country. The death of the 31-year-old blogger has triggered a new wave of protests, which started this week and escalated on Thursday. Ojwang had been investigating an alleged corruption and bribery scandal against the Kenyan chief of police. The police initially claimed that Ojwang died after hitting his head against the cell wall. But a subsequent autopsy investigation revealed that the injuries were not self-inflicted. Doctor Bernard Midia, one of the five pathologists to examine the late blogger's body, said, 'the cause of death is very clear, head injury, neck compression and other injuries spread all over his body that are pointing towards assault, multiple soft tissue injuries.' Large crowds of protesters emerged in the streets of Nairobi, where demonstrators blocked roads, set cars alight and tried to march on parliament while lawmakers debated this year's budget. Many of the protestors were chanting 'no justice, no budget, Lagat must go' while holding copies of daily newspapers which featured details of Ojwang's death . The protests ramped up on June 12, bringing some businesses to a close in Nairobi and expanding to many cities in the Rift Valley and Western Kenya. The Kenyan chief of police Douglas Kanja apologized for misleading the parliament and announced the arrest of one of the suspected police officers. President Ruto has condemned the death and called it 'heartbreaking and unacceptable.' Meanwhile, international observers have called for a transparent investigation. The incident is the latest development demonstrating growing anger towards the Ruto administration in Kenya.
