DP Ruto accuses Raila of insincerity in war against graft

Deputy President William Ruto has accused opposition leader, Raila Odinga, of fighting graft selectively.

Ruto, who was speaking in Tharaka Nithi on Friday, November 25, said that Odinga was not sincere in his quest to ‘unearth’ graft in the country as he protected opposition Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leaders linked to loss of public funds.

The DP challenged Odinga to come forward and account for the monies lost in ‘CORD-ed’ counties.

Just like the National Assembly Majority Leader, Aden Duale, Ruto accused Odinga of being a beneficiary of corruption by governors affiliated to his coalition – CORD.

He accused the opposition of hoodwinking Kenyans in an attempt to cover up their mega graft scandals in the counties run by his governors.

Ruto acknowledged that the 47 county governments were facing serious challenges safeguarding public funds from corrupt leaders and senior county government officials. He asked the courts of law to play their judicial role without fear or favour and ensure those named or linked to various graft cases are prosecuted.

The Deputy President said Odinga’s defence of Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi in the Ksh 51 million loss at his county

He said that Governor Kingi and his administration ought to take responsibility over loss of funds as outlined in the county’s interim report.

He called on Odinga to explain the corruption riddle that brought Mumias Sugar Company Limited to its knees.

The DP also said that Odinga should explain when he was intending to pay the loan he allegedly took from the sugar miller to help it regain its glory.

The DP’s sentiments were echoed by Tharaka Nithi Senator, Kithure Kindiki, who said that the opposition was not genuine in its call for government officials to own up to corruption, yet defending CORD governors when implicated in graft at county level.