President Uhuru: Stop blame and give us solutions

President Uhuru Kenyatta wants those criticising his government from within to offer solutions or quit. 

Uhuru said leaders should offer solutions to the country's problems and not make "noise in markets and press conferences".

Addressing school heads in Mombasa yesterday, the President said throwing blames over the cost of fuel and maize without new ideas will not solve the problem.

In an apparent reference to his deputy William Ruto and his allies, President Kenyatta said leaders who identify problems but fail to address them should quit government.

He said leaders must be problem solvers and not problem “jokers.” Uhuru added that those who want to work should do so and those who want to make noise should quit.

“The problem in this country is that there are leaders who identify problems but fail to provide solutions. Making noise in the market is not going to provide a solution. This country needs problem solvers and not problem jokers,” he said.

Present at the meeting were Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.

The President said Kenya needs people who were willing and committed to serving but not those who criticise without offering solutions.

Governor Joho jokingly appealed to the 10,000 principals at the event to back Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, with the President asking Joho to buy the secondary school heads lunch.

“I welcome you to Mombasa and ask you to support Azimio movement,” Joho said.

The president spoke even as a number of leaders decried the rising cost of living made worse by the recent fuel shortage.

There has been an outcry about the cost of petroleum products and other basic commodities, with politicians making it a campaign issue.

The Kenya Kwanza brigade led by Ruto, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford-K's Moses Wetangula have been criticising the government over the high cost of living, accusing President Kenyatta of having failed Kenyans.

Ruto and his team have been using public rallies and press conferences to fault the handshake between Uhuru and ODM leader Raila Odinga, claiming it ruined the Jubilee administration's agenda.