Ruto says political thugs behind the distribution of poisonous food in Kikuyu

By , K24 Digital
On Mon, 25 May, 2020 13:22 | 2 mins read
poisonous food relief
Deputy President William Ruto (left) distributes food relief to families in Nachu, Kiambu County on May 20. On the left in pink shirt is Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah. PHOTO | DPPS
Deputy President William Ruto (left) distributes food relief to families in Nachu, Kiambu County on May 20. On the left in pink shirt is Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah. PHOTO | DPPS

The William Ruto Foundation has distanced itself from the poisonous relief food distributed to a section of Kikuyu Constituency residents.

According to a Facebook post by Kikuyu MP, Kimani Ichung'wah who is a close ally of Deputy President (DP) William Ruto, the poisonous foodstuffs were distributed at Gikambura by unidentified people.

"The donations in question are NOT from the William Ruto Foundation. We sympathize with those who have been affected and pray for their speedy and full recovery. We shall follow up with the local leadership to assist them with medical care as is appropriate in consultation with Health officials," said a statement released on Monday, May 25, by the DP's foundation.

The foundation said that it only delivers relief packages through formal and known networks such as churches, mosques, and with the participation of local leaders.

"Reports from locals indicate that the strange food donations in question were hurriedly thrown from moving vehicles to the unsuspecting public with fake branding, that is not from the Foundation," said the foundation.

Mr. David Mugonyi, the Communication Secretary in the Office of the Deputy President, said that the foundation has been donating food in Nairobi County and its environs for months without any incident.

"It is clear those behind the distribution of the contaminated food are engaging in political thuggery for other reasons. It is revolting, despicable, callous and cruel to play with the health and lives of innocent human beings to score political points," said the foundation.

DP Ruto has been facing political heat with several of his close political allies, many of them from Mt. Kenya region, kicked out of their leadership roles in Parliament for allegedly defying their party leader.

Last week, a section of Kikuyu Constituency residents staged protests in the local town against the perceived abuse of Jubilee Party leader, President Uhuru Kenyatta, by allies linked to DP Ruto.