People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has criticised President William Ruto over foreign travel, the Social Health Authority (SHA) and taxation, saying the government should focus on service delivery and easing the cost burden on Kenyans.
Speaking during an interview with Inooro FM on Thursday, Karua claimed the president spends too much time travelling instead of addressing issues at home and questioned the value of some of his recent foreign visits.
“He should drop the excessive travels, like if you ask him what he went to Italy and France to do… what was he doing in France, and he is not in the G20,” she said.
Karua also criticised Kenya’s engagement with France, arguing that any move to allow foreign troops into the country should be subjected to public consultation.
“And then he will agree to sign an agreement that will bring French troops to Kenya… in any case, there should be a consultation first before he brings such troops to Kenya,” she said.
She added: “President Ruto should stop being a puppet of rich Western nations and do his job as the Kenyan president.”
On healthcare, Karua said the government should not simply insist that SHA is working, but listen to feedback from citizens, claiming there are persistent complaints.
“He should also stop telling us that SHA is working… we should be listening to testimonies from Kenyans as to whether it is working,” she said.
“There is not a day that goes without complaints about SHA… teachers who now say they were duped,” Karua added, alleging the scheme is paying “some Ksh1,500 which is not even enough for consultation.”
She argued that the defunct NHIF had problems but insisted they were “not as bad as the current scheme.”
Karua also criticised tax policy and the housing levy, saying small businesses are being overburdened and that many Kenyans are struggling financially.
“Let us stop overburdening Kenyans with taxes… with housing levy… most people who are being forced to contribute this levy cannot even afford to buy or live in these houses,” she said.
Pointing to the number of auctions listed in newspapers, Karua said: “That should tell you that something is very wrong.”
She further claimed that even higher taxes would not solve the problem without better management of revenue.