We dont need lecture on fighting corruption, Ruto tells CORD

Deputy President William Ruto has scoffed at criticism directed to the Jubilee government by opposition coalition CORD in regards to war on corruption.

Speaking in Kakamega County on Sunday, Ruto told CORD to tame corruption on its end before launching scathing attacks on the government.

“Jubilee has come out clean to fight corruption in the country, better than any other past government in Kenya.”

“We have created an enabling environment for EACC to carry out their duties by according them sufficient funds and staff; with the Financial Reporting Centre and Asset Recovery Centre also well-funded.”

Ruto further stated that they have taken action against state officers who have been named in corruption.

In an indirect jab at Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, Ruto said CORD should reign on its members who have been accused of tax evasion and importation of counterfeit goods.

Joho was involved in a protracted tussle with KRA officers early this month after two of his family’s container freight stations were shut down over allegations of illegal operations.

“We have done what no government has done since independence. We have given sufficient resources to all investigating authorities from the DPP to EACC and our courts because we are committed to fighting corruption in Kenya.”

Ruto’s pronouncement comes in the wake of excruciating allegations in former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru’s affidavit linking National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale, Senate’s Deputy Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and DP Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet to the loss of Sh791 million at the National Youth Service.

The allegations, which have threatened to distablise Jubilee government, have elicited sharp criticism from both CORD and Jubilee legislators, majority of who have called for the two Parliamentary leaders to resign.

Jubilee officials led by TNA Secretary General Onyango Oloo have called on Duale and Murkomen to carry their own cross saying they should not drag the coalition into their woes.

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter has called for the resignation of the two leaders with Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto saying Duale and Murkomen should return the money allegedly stolen from NYS.

CORD leader Raila Odinga has also put Jubilee government on the spot over the allegations saying Duale and Murkomen should resign from their parliamentary positions pending investigations into the allegations.

The two legislators have however distanced themselves from the allegations saying the inclusion of their names in Waiguru’s affidavit is a diversionary tactic to take Kenyans’ attention from the real culprits in the saga.

Murkomen, in his address on Sunday, claimed that Waiguru was using their names to arm-twist President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to absolve her from the NYS scam saying her gimmicks will not stop investigations into the part she played in the scandal.

@benjaminwafula