Kenyans Up In Arms Over Ruto’s “Wakenya Wanyongwe” Statement

Kenyans are up in arms after Deputy President William Ruto had a slip up on Sunday.

Speaking during a prayer service at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in North Horr, Marsabit Constituency, Ruto said “Wakenya wengi wanyongwe” which loosely translates to “Many Kenyans should be strangled.”

But the DP quickly made the necessary corrections and said,”Wakenya wanyonge” which means “poor Kenyans.”

Ruto was referring to the high cost of fuel after Treasury CS Henry Rotich okayed the 16 per cent VAT on petroleum products starting September 1.

Super petrol and diesel go up by 10 per cent while Kerosene will increase by 12 per cent, Rotich said.

The DP on the hand assured the people that the government would on its part come up with other ways of taxing the common people without really oppressing them.

“Najua kwamba kwa sababu ya budget, kuna lalama kuna mahali haijakaa vizuri. Mimi nataka niwaelezee wakenya kwamba kama serikali tutaketi chini ili tuelewane tuwe na mipango ya kutafuta kodi ya kuendesha maendeleo ya Kenya lakini vile vile tuhakikishe kwamba Wakenya wanyongwe… Wanyonge wasifinywe (I know because of the budget (2018/19) there are complains that all is not well. I assure that the government will look into it and ensure that we get other avenues of getting revenue for development at the same time ensuring that Kenyans are hanged… poor Kenyans are not oppressed),” Ruto told the congregation.

But Kenyans online were of the view that the DP’s initial statement was figurative.

Read: Photo Of Leading Digital Start-ups In Kenya Elicits Reactions, None Is Kenyan

"Wakenya wanyongwe"…..did I hear the DP saying this? And indeed tunanyongwa, fuel prices over the roof

— Simon Omondi (@Simonogoda) September 2, 2018

I heard Ruto yesterday saying wakenya wanyongwe in place of Wakenya wanyonge, why do I feel like he meant the former figuratively 🤔🤔

— Oliver (@Olivera_Amt) September 3, 2018

https://twitter.com/TheParrotKE/status/1036466466936291328

#sundaylive off course economic disequilibrium knock ,digging deeper in pockets.The DP himself has admitted "wakenya wanyongwe'

— Komal Mike (@mike_komal) September 2, 2018

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