South African opposition leader Julius Malema has taken a swipe at Kenyan President William Ruto, accusing him of failing to deliver on promises made during his election campaign. Malema expressed skepticism about Ruto’s sincerity, pointing to a perceived inconsistency between the president’s election rhetoric and his current actions.
Speaking at the launch of the Pan-African Institute at Lukenya University in Makueni County, Malema specifically highlighted Ruto’s stance on the US dollar as a trade currency in Africa. He criticized the president for not aligning his actions with his previous statements advocating for moving away from the dollar.
Malema also condemned Ruto for his interactions with the United Kingdom’s King Charles and Queen Camilla during their recent visit to Kenya. He deemed it inappropriate for the Kenyan Head of State to engage with representatives of a colonial power that had caused harm during the Mau Mau rebellion.
The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party called on the Kenyan government to clarify its position, urging them to choose between being proponents of Pan-Africanism or supporters of neo-colonialism.
Malema’s criticism follows his previous call for Kenyan politician Raila Odinga to retire from politics. These remarks come against the backdrop of rising discontent among Kenyans over the high cost of living, fuel prices, and perceived unfulfilled promises made by President Ruto during his electoral campaign.