Julius Malema accuses Kenyan leader of failing to keep his promises

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 faces growing criticism over the deteriorating cost of living, as the president won elections last year on a promise to ease financial hardship for families.

The president, however, defended his unpopular economic policies, saying he was reducing the public debt.