We'll continue piling pressure on Jubilee over graft, says CORD

CORD co-principals Moses Wetang’ula and Kalonzo Musyoka during the burial of Mzee Dismas Wanami at Kimaeti, Bungoma County, on Saturday. Wanami was the father of former TJRC commissioner Tecla Namachanja. [PHOTO: TITUS OTEBA/STANDARD]

KITALE: CORD co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka has told the Jubilee coalition that the Opposition will not relent its effort to criticise government on issues affecting the country such as runaway corruption.

The Jubilee government, Kalonzo said, has failed to manage the country and is officiating massive corruption in public institutions.

The former Vice President said those serving in the government sleep and dream about corruption and that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto are preaching water and drinking wine.

“These people in Jubilee sleep and dream on how to loot the economy. We have to do something to save the country from falling apart,” he said.

The Wiper leader was speaking Saturday at Sirende Primary School in Trans Nzoia County during a funds drive in aid of a school. He was accompanied by Kiminini MP Dr Chris Wamalwa and politicians Caleb Amisi and Benjamin Andama.

Hopeless citizens

Kalonzo said most Kenyans have become hopeless due to the sinking economy and pledged that the Opposition will salvage the country from collapse in 2017.

“The economy is at the intensive care unit (ICU). The Jubilee government is taking the country backward. Its leaders preach water and drink heavy wine. Since I joined politics, I have never witnessed such a high magnitude of corruption in the government. It is a total shame for the government leadership to officiate the looting of public coffers,” he said.

Kalonzo disclosed that CORD will next week present the Okoa Kenya signatures for a referendum, arguing it was the only way to salvage the country from bad leadership and mismanagement.

Mr Amisi urged MPs to support the removal of Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru over corruption at NYS.

Meanwhile, ODM secretary for devolution Kipkorir Menjo has challenged Deputy President William Ruto to speak out against the ongoing graft at the Devolution ministry. Mr Menjo said recent revelations of looting through unnecessary acquisition of goods has put the country in a precarious situation.

CRITICAL PROJECTS

He said Ruto has an obligation to defend the interest of Kenyans by coming out strongly and taking charge over the graft claims.

“As the Deputy President, we expect him to castigate the ills taking place at Devolution ministry. If Ruto has people’s interest at heart, he should be in the front line condemning the on-going corruption at the ministry,” he said.

Menjo said Waiguru must step aside so that investigations can be conducted.

But his sentiments were dismissed by Turbo MP Elisha Busienei, who insisted that both President Kenyatta and his deputy Ruto should be given a chance to fulfill the promises they made to the electorate.

“Those who say the government is failing have no facts to present in order to prove it. We have made strides and our leaders deserve credit,” he said during an interview in Eldoret.

The legislator outlined the projects established by the government and stressed the standard gauge railway and road networks as some of the most critical.

“The change that many locals expect does not come suddenly. They have to be patient because such projects take time for benefits to be enjoyed,” said Busienei.