Jubilee using Wetangula to divert public attention – Orengo

Siaya County Senator James Orengo has faulted the government for creating non-existent issues, claiming the case of minority leader in the Senate Moses Wetangula is a diversionary tactic.

Speaking at Sagam Mixed Secondary School during a funds drive on Saturday, Orengo said the Jubilee Government has made life more difficult for Kenyans due to their poor governing style.

“The issues of who fixed who at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the issue of Wetangula should not divert the attention of the government.”

Orengo noted that the cost of living and inflation is rising, adding that if one is to judge the Jubilee Government on the indicators of all sectors the conclusion would be that the current government has eroded all the gains that were made in the previous regime.

“The current government is not giving solutions to Kenya’s problems but is busy with sideshows of who fixed who and who should be in the ballot paper in the next General Election,” said the Siaya senator.

Orengo said that Wetangula is free to serve as Bungoma Senator now and in the future as there is nothing to stop him from contesting for the seat in 2017.

He noted that according to their research and investigations, they found nothing to implicate the Bungoma Senator in election malpractices.

On his part, Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo warned the Jubilee Government that getting rid of Senator Wetangula would not translate to winning western region votes, adding that giving handouts to the people of the region will also not work.

Meanwhile, Cord launched a series of prayer rallies in support of the embattled Ford Kenya leader after Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro gazetted court findings that he bribed voters in the 2013 polls.

In the inaugural rally held in Kitale town, leaders urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) not to heed to government pressure in the voter bribery case.

The CORD leaders advised the electoral body against striking Wetangula off the voters’ list, a move that could see the Ford Kenya leader lose his senatorial seat.

They said the commission would be applying double standards if it bars Wetangula from elective politics yet it did not bar President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto to vie in 2013.

Senator Bonny Khalwale also accused a section of leaders from the community who are allied to the government of being behind “the scheme” to benefit financially.