Azimio Leaders Condemn William Ruto's Threats To Sugar 'Cartels': "There Are Better Ways"

• Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leaders have said it is unfortunate for President William Ruto to threaten investors in the sugar industry
• Kilifi senator Stewart Madzayo, said the president's remarks are reckless and irresponsible and that they send a negative message to investors
• They called on the president to find better ways of addressing the matter than issuing threats by the roadside

Nairobi - A section of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leaders have faulted President William Ruto's threats to stakeholders in the sugar industry.

The leaders were responding to comments made by Ruto in Bungoma on Sunday, August 27, on sugar cartels.

Ticking time bomb

Addressing the press on Tuesday, August 29, and led by Kilifi senator Stewart Madzayo, he said the ripple effect of the utterances by the head of state could not be assumed.

"We, Azimio condemn such utterances made by the president since this is a democratic country governed by the rule of law, and the ripple effect of such statements cannot be off-stated," Madzayo said.

Madzayo explained that it was unfortunate for the president to threaten investors in the country at a roadside meeting.

"I am enraged by the reckless remarks at a roadside meeting in Bungoma concerning the alleged cartels frustrating the sugar industry. It is quite disturbing to hear that a whole president is threatening investors in Kenya by claiming that they are arrested, deported or taken to heaven."

"What message is the president sending to investors not supporting him? Does it mean that if your political views differ with the president you risk falling short of his wrath?" he posed.

Infringing rights and subverting the constitution

The senator stated that billionaire businessman Singh Rai has the right to own and run businesses in the country even though he was implicated in cases of frustrating the revival of the Mumias Sugar Company.

He explained that there are better ways of addressing the matter than the president of a democratic country issuing threats by the roadside.

The Kilifi senator said they are ready for a proposal in Parliament that will roar the engines in the company.

"We will await a proposal in Parliament that will revive a once proud industry, restore hope and improve the livelihoods of the many sugarcane farmers in the western region," he said.

Kitui senator Enoch Wambua warned that the president's remarks could throw the country into chaos, asking them to govern the country in accordance with the law.

William Ruto's stern warning on sugar cartels

Their comments came hours after Ruto fired a severe warning to sugar cartels and maintained he will fight them tooth and nail as he seeks to restore Mumias Sugar Company.

While reiterating his commitment to revive the sugar company in the Western Kenya region, the president said he would not entertain any sugar cartels standing in the way of his plans.

Before this public warning to cartels, he had linked billionaire businessman Singh Rai to powerful cartels standing in the way of his plans to revive the local sugar industry.