‘Stop handshake talks, begin handcuffs,’ Mudavadi urges gov’t

Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi is now urging the government to cease talks of the March 9, 2018 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga and address financial scandals in the country.

Addressing a press conference in Nakuru on Sunday, Mudavadi slammed the government for what he termed as “empty rhetoric about a make-believe war against corruption,” instead of pushing for the arrests and prosecution of those found complicit in the vice.

“The country wakes up every morning to news of a new scandal. Each of these scandals runs into billions of shillings,” said the ANC boss.

“The thieves have become so daring that it must now be understood that this Government believes that corruption is part of the gains of being in Government.”

According to the National Super Alliance (NASA) co-principal, the government recently awarded three tenders running into billions of shillings to an already bankrupt Italian firm named CMC di Rivanna.

“Because it was already broke, this company has now filed for creditors’ protection in Italian Court. This is to say that it has admitted that it is insolvent and bankrupt. It has no financial capacity to honour any of its commitments and obligations,” added Mudavadi.

These tenders, as alleged by Mudavadi, are: Itare Dam Water Supply Project in Nakuru County (Ksh. 40 billion), Kimwarer Multi-Purpose Dam Project in Elgeyo-Marakwet County (Ksh.28 billion), Arror Multi-Purpose Dam Project in Elgeyo-Marakwet County (Ksh.38 billion.)

The former deputy premier also urged the Italian Embassy to come clean on the matter, further questioning their complicity.

“State agencies – led by the Presidency must act now. The Auditor General must conduct a special audit on the three projects and any others awarded to the bankrupt company,” he added.

“The DCI and EACC must also weigh in. We want to see handcuffs and not be told about handshakes.”

Mudavadi – who threatened to call for mass action if the issues are not addressed — also alluded to mismanagement and corruption in the ministries of Education, Agriculture and Energy.