South African opposition leader Julius Malema has criticised Kenya’s President William Ruto for failing to fulfil the promises he made to Kenyans when he ran for office last year.
Speaking on Thursday at the launch of the Pan African Institute in Kenya, Mr Malema accused President Ruto of backtracking on his commitment to lead in getting rid of the US dollar as a means of trade in Africa, highlighting a contradiction between the president’s words and actions.
“I don’t know if President William Ruto means it because he said so many things and I cannot locate him these days because the things he said during elections and the things he is doing now are two different things,” he said.
Mr Ruto’s administration has faced mounting criticism over the worsening cost of living despite the fact that the president won elections last year with a promise to ease the financial difficulties of families. He also sold himself as being on the side of the “hustler”, who scrapes by to make a living.
The president has, however, defended his unpopular economic policies, saying he was cutting public debt.
Mr Malema, who is the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader – the third largest party in South Africa’s parliament – also condemned President Ruto for warmly welcoming King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their recent visit to Kenya.
He said the King “showed no remorse” for the atrocities committed during the British colonial era in Kenya.
During the visit, King Charles expressed regret for the colonial abuses in Kenya but did not deliver a formal apology.
Mr Malema accused President Ruto of failing to follow the “true cause of the African freedom fighters who were killed and tortured by the colonialists”.
He also hit out at the Kenyan leader for supporting Israel in the Gaza conflict.