Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has hit out at a section of Jubilee Party members for politicising the war on corruption.
The
opposition politician on Tuesday urged the Deputy President (DP)
William Ruto to give detectives time to conclude investigations into
allegations that taxpayers lost billions of shillings in tenders for
construction of Kimwarer and Arror dams.
“I would like
to advise my brother William [Ruto] to stop saying there is no
corruption at all. Allow the independent agencies to conclude
investigations because constant tongue-lashing of the DCI [Directorate
of Criminal Investigations] and DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions] is
ruining the legacy the President wants to leave for the nation,” he
said.
ITALIAN FIRM
Mr
Kalonzo said if Dr Ruto’s assertions were true that no money was lost
in the Elgeyo-Marakwet County projects, Kenya should liaise with the
Italian government to unravel the mystery of how the company went under
receivership after winning the tenders.
“The
government must ask the Italian government to assist it to unravel the
mystery on how a company that had just been given Sh536 million upfront
and another Sh360 million for commitment just went bankrupt,” he said.
Mr Musyoka was speaking on Monday at the Mumbi
Catholic Church in Murang’a town where he attended, alongside 17
senators, the burial ceremony of Senator Irung’u Kang’ata’s mother.
On
Tuesday, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich was grilled at the DCI
headquarters for authorising payment to firms linked to the dam
scandal.
Last week, Dr Ruto claimed
that Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga was the one behind
the flurry of stories linking his allies to mega corruption.
The
DP’s allies at the weekend claimed the anti-graft war was targeted at
him to weaken his chances for winning the presidency in the 2022 General
Election, whose campaigns the President ordered halted in vain.
UHURU RECORD
Mr Musyoka also defended Mr Kenyatta’s development track record in Mt Kenya region, calling his critics malicious and liars.
“I
have heard leaders recounting the development projects, including roads
and water projects, and some have been credited to the Deputy
President. But we must know that they have been implemented with the
blessings of the Head of State,” Mr Musyoka told the mourners.
The
Wiper leader was reacting to Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro’s remarks that the
roads promised by Mr Ruto, including Mukuria Hungu-Kayuyu-Gwa Thamnaki
Road was near complete while works Murang’a-Kiriani road — also promised
by the DP — were about to start.
The
debate about the President’s track record in the region was sparked by
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria who claimed Mr Kenyatta was favouring
opposition strongholds.
The MP, who
harbours presidential ambitions, said the residents had a right to
demand projects and should not be reduced to beggars on matters
development.
DAILY NATION
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