Kenya Deputy President apologizes over ‘No Cows’ in DR Congo remark

NAIROBI, Kenya

Kenya’s Deputy President, William Ruto, has finally broken his silence on the ongoing controversy with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over his recent remarks.

Ruto, in a statement released on Wednesday evening, retracted his controversial Monday sentiments that the DRC has no cows, which have since brought him under fire.

The DP has elucidated that his speech may have been taken out of context since his intentions were purely to reach out to the local residents.

“My speech was informal, and my use of certain effects was purely to underscore the magnitude of the opportunity and the urgency of the moment to a local audience. It was not intended to be disrespectful in any way,” said the DP in a statement by his presidential campaign Communications Director Hussein Mohammed.

He similarly noted that his assertions were not meant to cause strife with the Central African nation as he himself holds a high opinion of the country.

“I regret any misunderstanding that may have arisen on account of my speech, and take this opportunity to assure the government and people of the DRC of my profound admiration and high regard,” stated the DP. 

Ruto made the now infamous remarks while speaking to micro, small and medium enterprise owners in Nyeri County on ways to augment the country’s agricultural sector.

A video clip that was widely shared shows the Deputy President at a campaign rally in Nyeri, central Kenya, on Monday, saying that the Congolese were mostly musicians who do not own cows.

He said: "...Na tuko na soko kuanzia hapa DRC hao wako na 90 milion people na hawana hata ngombe moja." (“We have a market in DR Congo… these people who are (just) singers… There’s a population of about 90 million, but they don’t own a single cow,” he said.)

Meanwhile, Kenya’s ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dr George Masafu, on Wednesday, said there is no broken “respect” between the two countries in the wake of comments by Deputy President William Ruto, which were seen in Kinshasa as disparaging.

The envoy said there have been “negative reactions” to remarks by DP Ruto about his host country’s lack of cows.

Dr Masafu said in a statement that the Embassy had updated Nairobi on the reactions from the business community in Kinshasa, who demanded assurance of mutual respect.

“The Kenyan Embassy wishes to reiterate that the government and the people share a deep and respectful; historical relationship with the government and the people of DRC. This relationship stretches back to the independence of our respective countries,” the statement said.

His description of Congolese as high-waist trouser wearers and musicians did not go down well with both Congolese and some Kenyans.  

On Tuesday, when the clip was shared, journalists, rights activists, politicians and ordinary Congolese noted the “unacceptable lack of respect” for DRC on the part of Ruto.

Ms Francine Muyumba, a senator and former president of the Pan African Youth Union said: “This is really unacceptable; with all due respect, there is a need to withdraw this statement. If DRC did not have a single cow, how could KENYA sign economic deals with DRC? EquityBCDC is currently making money in Congo; this is an insult. We are friends to Kenya. A candidate running for the highest office of the Country needs to be diplomatically conscience (sic) as Kenya need(s) to strengthen economic ties in the region for Kenya’s internal economic growth. Kenya Airways is now flying in some of our big cities. This is a provocation or just an insult to my people. Sad for Africa.”

Dr Masafu sought to reassure the DRC that Kenya would continue encouraging the citizens of both countries to keep engaging and “building strong partnerships, especially at this historic moment when the DRC prepares to join the East African Community.”

Dr Masafu says he met with the Secretary-General of the Congolese Foreign Ministry, Joska Kabongo, to discuss “and disassociate from remarks made by DP William Ruto on DRC”.

“The remarks were personal and do not reflect the position of the government of Kenya.”