DP Ruto defends Uhurus sister amid growing Afya House storm

DP Ruto defends Uhurus sister amid growing Afya House storm

Deputy President William Ruto has come to the defense of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s sister Nyokabi Kenyatta Muthama over allegations that she has irregularly acquired tenders set aside for special groups, as reported by Daily Nation.

The article stated that Sundales International Limited – whose directors include Mrs Nyokabi and cousin, Kathleen Kihanya – is named at number 1790 on the Public Procurement Oversights Authority’s 2014 roll of “Disadvantaged Groups” that should receive preferential treatment when they bid for tenders.

Speaking at Kapyemit Primary School in Turbo, Ruto said that being a woman, Ms Nyokabi is entitled to the tender like any other woman in the country.

“I see Nation (Daily Nation) does not have anything to write except creating allegations against Uhuru’s sister (Ms Nyokabi). They should know that she is a woman like any other, and is therefore entitled to receiving government tenders,” the DP said.

The articles names Sundales as having received Ksh.41 million as part-payment for several tenders it won for supplies to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority.

Ms Kihanya has, however, come out to refute claims that her firm won the tender unfairly, instead blaming CORD leader Raila Odinga for linking them to graft.

Ruto’s pronouncements come as pressure piles on President Uhuru Kenyatta to crack the whip on officials in the Ministry of Health named in the alleged theft of Ksh5 billion.

CORD leader Raila Odinga has challenged President Uhuru Kenyatta to respond on the claims that some of his close relatives and friends are implicated in the saga, but the Head of State is yet to address the issue.

DP Ruto has, however, defended the government’s resilience in fighting corruption, saying anyone implicated in the Afya House scam would be sacked and prosecuted.

The Ministry’s Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu has come out to clear the air, saying that there is no evidence to show that any money was stolen so far.

In his presser on Sunday, Mailu said that he would enlist the services of private auditors to carry out an independent audit and point out any discrepancies in the Ministry’s expenditure as highlighted in the report.

Mailu further noted that there was no conflict of interest regarding the companies that acquired the tenders and officials working at the Health Ministry, saying any company in Kenya is allowed to conduct business with the government – as long as they adhere to the Integrity Act and Public Ethics Act.

He called on the public to be calm as investigations continue into the graft claims at the ministry.

A section of Jubilee legislators led by Laikipia East MP Peter Kimaru have rubbished the corruption claims, instead accusing CORD Leader Raila Odinga of politicizing the war on graft and attempting to tarnish President Uhuru Kenyatta’s name to dim his re-election in 2017.

Tags:

CORD Uhuru kenyatta raila odinga william ruto Jubilee Government Health CS cleopa mailu sundales international

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories