Your double speak is too loud, DP Ruto accuses ODM of shielding COVID-19 billionaires

Deputy President William Ruto has slammed the Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party for what he termed as hypocrisy over their stand on the alleged theft of funds meant to combat COVID-19 at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and party leader Odinga have over the past few days released separate statements insisting on special audit to be carried out at KEMSA first before any conclusions of graft are made.

DP Ruto, in a statement released on Tuesday, termed ODM as the “hypocritical former opposition” saying they have now changed tune, adding that the alleged heist at the State agency is a “deplorable manifestation of the worst public vice.”

“First, they told us we should ignore what was happening at KEMSA, and that there was nothing wrong with some newly registered suspect companies being awarded tenders worth billions,” said the DP.

“Then, they told us that the media was sensationalising ‘business’ at KEMSA by ostensibly elevating ‘rumours’ to facts. Now they have told us nothing should happen in KEMSA until something called ‘special’ audit is done.”

He further added: “When did they change their position on the role of the media? They have always told us the media is independent and has a role in informing the public and over-sighting the Government. They chastised us when we said criminal investigations should not be carried out in the media. What has changed?”

DP Ruto also told off the opposition party for telling investigative agencies to await the special audit first saying the DCI, EACC and DPP are constitutionally independent institutions that do not work at the direction of any person or office.

“Your double standards are too glaring and obvious to our eyes. What happened to taking political responsibility? What happened to stepping aside? Why is it different now?” He posed.

“The stammering, staggering and flip-flopping is obviously a confirmation of thieves caught red handed stealing from the sick, endangering the lives of the front line workers and robbing the dying. It is clear that you, the owners and operators of the corruption laundromat are working overtime in your effort to ‘sanitise’ the Covid billionaires.”

The beleaguered DP also expressed relief that the purported perpetrators of the heist at KEMSA are not his political allies as they would otherwise by now have been arrested and taken to court.

National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed, in a quick rejoinder on Twitter, urged the DP to present any evidence he has on the said heist to the investigative agencies.

“For the first time since you were born you will have helped Kenya unearth one corruption scam, if any,” wrote Junet.

Kenyans are tired of these hollow tweets. If you have evidence of this so called “COVID billionaire heist” I urge you to report to DCI, EACC and AoG, or nearest police station. For the FIRST TIME since you were BORN you will have helped Kenya unearth one corruption scam, if any. https://t.co/h94u2svbGm

— Hon. Junet Mohamed, CBS (@JunetMohamed) August 25, 2020