NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 5 – The Jua Kali Contractors National Umbrella organization has defended President William Ruto’s housing project and urged him to ignore court orders temporarily halting its progress despite uproar from the Opposition.
President Ruto has vowed to ignore court orders stopping his flagship projects, saying the cases are sponsored by cartels out to derail his government agenda.
Ruto’s declaration has sparked outrage, with Opposition leaders and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) warning he risks becoming a tyrant.
But Ruto has stood firm, saying he is out to root out corruption in the judiciary which he accuses of being used by influential business people and leaders with selfish interests to derail his government agenda.
“We call on the President to stand with us like we did with him during the elections. We urge the Chief Justice to look into the matter with these youths in mind. These houses are not for the government or President Ruto,” said Joseph Muhia, who leads the pilot stage of affordable houses under the Jua Kali Association banner.
On Friday, the Jua Kali contractors lauded the affordable housing project by the government which they said has led to a paradigm change in living standards through the wages they receive, a factor they say has enabled thousands of youths to stay afloat economically.
“Here alone we have 500 Jua Kali workers and these court cases will make them lose their jobs. Where will they go if this project is stopped? We call on people with court cases to withdraw them so as to allow these young people to get jobs,” said Mafundi Kenya Chairperson Peter Muthaka.
Their sentiments come against the backdrop of yet another presser by lawmakers allied to President Ruto in Ruiru on Thursday who maintained that the court orders issued against the implementation of the housing project are in bad faith as they failed to take public views.
The duo, Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangwa and Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, vowed to ensure the housing project by the government is not thwarted by the court system.
