Kenya: Ruto says ‘contaminated’ food donation not from him

Kenya’s deputy leader William Ruto has said that food aid distributed to people in his constituency outside Nairobi brandishing the name of his foundation is not from him.

Several people have been admitted to hospital after eating the food, some of which are in a critical condition, according to Kiambu County Governor James Nyoro.

On Monday Mr Ruto called the food distribution “political thuggery” and denied any involvement with it.

A statement released by his foundation said, “Reports from locals indicate that the strange food donations in question were hurriedly thrown from moving vehicles to unsuspecting public with fake branding, that is not from the foundation”.

Some of the residents have reportedly returned the bags, containing maize flour, cooking oil, tea leaves and other essentials, to local administrators.

Several Kenyan politicians have been distributing food aid to the low-income areas as the economic impact of the coronavirus continues to be felt.

[Photo: DPPS]