Orengo: This is why Ruto should be impeached

Siaya Senator and Senate Minority Leader James Orengo on Tuesday strongly defended his position that Deputy President William Ruto ought to be impeached.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s News Night show, Orengo cited corruption allegations and claims of insubordination as grounds on which a motion of no confidence should be introduced against the deputy president.

The Senate Minority leader said the DP’s castigation of government agencies mandated to fight corruption amounted to insubordination, which he said was gross misconduct.

“The list is too long. And this is not about what he has been linked to, but what he has also admitted. For example the hotel next to the airport, the Muteshi land and now these two dams where there has been an allegation supported by facts that Ksh.21 billion was lost but in his knowledge he is talking about Ksh.7 billion,” said Orengo.

Senator Orengo further stated that “if the country was ready to deal with grand corruption,” DP Ruto should be investigated.

“He (Ruto) is not being investigated because we are not yet prepared to deal with grand corruption. I think he should be investigated,” said Orengo.

“If he cannot be investigated, then the parliamentary process is another tool which is largely political.”

Asked why he is on DP Ruto’s case, Orengo said: “I am on the deputy president’s case because the president made a decision and with the new energy and statements he (president) has made, I am persuaded that he is committed on the war against corruption.”

“But when it comes to the DP, even after the war on corruption was launched, you open newspapers every other day and the stories you read about the deputy president it’s as if that war is not being fought,” said Orengo.

The Siaya Senator insisted that his call for DP Ruto’s removal was his personal views and that he was not speaking on behalf of Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

“It is me speaking; Raila has his mouth and I got my mouth. When I am speaking on behalf of Raila; which I have done before, I’ll say as much,” said Orengo.