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The Nairobian

'Evil Spirit' Ruto reacts to critics of his government's projects

National

By Winfrey Owino | Dec 04, 2024

**President William Ruto at the groundbreaking ceremony for Devki Group of Companies’ Iron Processing Project in Taita Taveta County.** [Source: WSR; X]

President William Ruto has publicly reacted to widespread criticism of his government’s performance, terming it an ‘evil spirit’.

This comes amidst criticisms by the members of the clergy, opposition politicians and a section of Kenyans on social media.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for Devki Group of Companies’ Iron Processing Project in Taita Taveta County on Tuesday, Ruto faulted the critics for failing to offer solutions, saying they hinder development.

“Kenyans please, there is an evil spirit of opposing everything amongst us. From the new University funding model, Affordable Housing, the national livestock vaccination campaign as well as the SHA migration. The evil spirit has gotten to a point of opposing donations given to churches. The spirit of opposing everything,” Ruto told his audience in loose Swahili.

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“Let us pray for our country, and do away with this spirit of opposing everything on the internet,"

Visibly angered, President Ruto expressed his frustrations and disappointment occasioned by the cancellation of Adani Deal.

Under the proposed deal, the Adani Group was to add a second runway at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and upgrade the passenger terminal in exchange for a 30-year lease.

The deal also included a separate 30-year public-private partnership that an Adani Group firm signed with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum in October, to construct power transmission lines.

In his address, Ruto questioned why Kenyans complain of poor infrastructure but are celebrating the cancellation of the deal to upgrade East Africa's busiest airport.

"I saw them saying that those who stopped the upgrading of our airport are heroes. Heroes of what? When our airport has leaking roofs. What gain do you get when you stop the building of an airport in your country? You have no clue how it's going to be built. Those in the front line of opposing the development have never even set foot at an airport. All they do is oppose." the President railed on.

Further, Ruto has vowed to build a new airport in Kenya.

"That doesn't mean we're not going to build airport, we're going to get a new framework and work with people who believe in this country to get a new airport."

Uproar against the Adani Public-Private Partnership ensued after whistleblower Nelson Amenya shared documents of the deal on social media, and raised questions on how the government had settled on Adani without opting for a competitive bid.