Raila receives monthly salary from CORD governors Duale

National Assembly Majority Leader, Aden Duale, now claims that the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader, Raila Odinga, receives monthly stipends from governors in what could spark a new wave of political condemnation between the opposition coalition and ruling Jubilee coalition.

In a press conference held at Parliament Buildings on Wednesday, November 23, Duale said that in addition to the monthly stipend, the CORD leader’s bills during his trips to counties are catered for by the governors.

“I can confirm that during Raila’s recent visit to Wajir and Garissa counties, the choppers were paid for by the governors, and I have evidence to prove it.”

“Raila must refund the millions he has received as allowances, stipends, pocket money and hotel fees.”

Duale further hit out at the ODM leader for apparent doublespeak on matters corruption saying his combative attributes when speaking against corruption in government is never replicated when “CORDed counties” are implicated in graft.

He questioned Raila’s move to defend Kilifi Governor, Amason Jeffa Kingi, over the loss of Ksh 51 million at his county, saying as the party leader, he should take responsibility over the scandal.

“He has previously asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to take responsibility for corruption in the government, yet he is now asking for due process to be followed in investigating the scandal in Kilifi,” said Duale.

Duale accused Kingi of engaging in corrupt activities including buying a Ksh 160 million house using taxpayers money instead of buying of food for the locals.

“All governors, whether in Jubilee or CORD, must take responsibility for the loss of money allocated to their counties. As Jubilee, we would not allow any governor who has engaged in corruption to vie on our party ticket in the 2017 General Election.”

“We have evidence of how he (Raila) has been a ghost worker in all the CORD counties for the last three years. Let him respond and we will table the evidence,” he said.

The Garissa Township MP further linked Raila’s one-day tour of Mombasa to a move to avert the “damage” caused by Jubilee’ Tononoka Rally last weekend.

“The Tononoka Rally has given Raila sleepless nights and we intend to make it even worse. We are heading to Western tomorrow (Thursday, November 22), then Ukambani and back to Coast so he and his cohorts should go to the nearest pharmacy and buy sleeping pills,” he scorned.

Taita Taveta MP, Naomi Shaban, called on the Auditor General to launch investigation into the expenditure at the Kilifi County Government saying further probe will reveal that more than Ksh 1.8 billion is missing.

She accused Raila of failing to speak against corruption when it touches on CORD counties while being vocal on allegations against Jubilee governments.

The Jubilee presser came hours after Raila, flanked by Governor Kingi and his Mombasa counterpart, Ali Hassan Joho, among other leaders, defended Kingi over the alleged loss of money at the county.

Raila said that Kingi was a whistle blower in the matter and through his dedication and fast investigations, Ksh 8 million was recovered.

He called on Jubilee government to “learn” from Kingi’s handling of the situation and act whenever issues of corruption touching on Ministries and parastatals are raised, instead of intimidating whistle blowers.

Kingi has so far sacked 10 county officials while promising to recover all the money that was stolen.

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raila odinga Aden Duale CORD Leader Raila Odinga Amason Kingi Hassan Joho

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