President Kenyatta shielding corrupt govt officials, Raila claims

President Kenyatta shielding corrupt govt officials, Raila claims

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of shielding government officials implicated in corrupt dealings.

Speaking at the ODM National Governing Council meeting at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi, Odinga said that Uhuru has been unwilling to clamp down on individuals named in corruption owing to his close relations with them.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta is unable to crack the whip on those implicated in corrupt dealings because they are his cronies and he stands to gain from their underhand dealings,” claimed Raila.

Raila called for action on the alleged loss of Ksh5 billion at the Ministry of Health, rubbishing assertions that the Government was investigating the allegations – assertions made by CS Cleopa Mailu and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

“There is a report by the internal auditor that was clearly prepared after those involved were questioned and gave unsatisfactory answers. What then are they [still] investigating?” question the CORD leader.

Raila, who claimed that all state departments were affected by the rot, told President Uhuru Kenyatta to borrow a leaf from Rwanda President Paul Kagame and order the arrest and prosecution of those named in the scandals.

“Kagame went to the extent of arrested his own brother over corruption; and whenever he visited him in jail, he reminded him that what he had done was criminal. That is what Uhuru should also do,” said Raila.

CS Mailu has, however, raised concern over the highly circulated report, saying the auditor did not seek answers from those named in the report.

Mailu said that so far there was no evidence to show that any money was stolen at the Ministry, adding that he would take action against anyone found to be culpable of any wrongdoings after the conclusion of investigations.

The ODM leader reiterated claims he made on Sunday that another scandal involving the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is about to be unearthed, claiming it would be bigger that the Afya House Scandal.

In his address at the burial of the mother of veteran journalist David Ohito on Saturday, Raila claimed that a Swiss firm was raking in Ksh120 million every day through revenue collected on imports.

He claimed that SICPA Solutions was under investigations by the Brazilian authority over irregular dealings and was the basis for the impeachment of Brazilian President Dilma Rouseff.

KRA has however come out to defend itself over the allegations, saying the tender is distributed between four other companies.

On the issue of electoral reforms, Raila told the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners led by chair Issack Hassan to vacate office and give way for proper planning of the next elections.

“IEBC commissioners should take their money, pack and go. We forced MPs to pass the Election (Amendment) Bill without any changes and we will not allow anyone to try to change the rules,” he said.

Raila has in previous occasions claimed that the extended stay by IEBC commissioners in officer was part of Jubilee’s tactic to influence the outcome of the 2017 General Election.

In the Monday meeting, Raila revisited these claims, adding that ODM would not accept the results of rigged elections.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has however defended President Kenyatta over the allegations, saying Jubilee has shown willingness to fight corruption in all fronts.

“Out of the 18 Cabinet Secretaries that we had when we started, six were sacked over corruption. Instead of pointing fingers, everyone should learn to take their fair share of blame and responsibility in the fight against corruption.”

Speaking on Citizen TV’s Sunday Live news segment, Kuria vowed to resign from office if reports of the theft of Ksh5 billion from the Health Ministry are proven true.

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Uhuru kenyatta raila odinga Jubilee Government

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