Ruto accuses Raila of sabotage as Eurobond saga jolts war on graft

From right: Deputy President William Ruto, Kericho Senator Charles Keter and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen during a goat auction at Sigowet, Kericho County. [PHOTO:DPPS]

 

The Eurobond saga continued to play out during Deputy President William Ruto’s visit to Kericho County whereby he described former Prime Minister Raila Odinga allegations on the Eurobond saga as economic sabotage and political propaganda.

Speaking during the second annual goats auction in Soin/Sigowet constituency, Ruto argued that the fight against corruption was not a political game and must not be tempered with outright lies.

“The fight against corruption can only be won when the truth is told. If you are just peddling falsehoods against the state of the country’s economy you are either malicious or trying to undermine the economy,” he said.

The DP warned corrupt government officers that they risked losing their jobs and added that the Government would cease doing business and blacklist corrupt companies.

“The Government issued a directive and if you are a government officer who stills perpetrates corruption, you must quit before we arrest, take you to court and sack you. For the companies which are scheming to steal public funds, we are going to take legal action against their directors and blacklist the companies,” said Ruto.

Elegeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen accused Raila of creating a fuss over the Eurobond saga since he (Raila) or his agents were allegedly beneficiaries of 10 per cent of multi-billion contracts which were hurriedly signed before the last General Election, and which were to be paid using the Eurobond.

“When the contracts were calculated, we discovered that the former Prime Minister, his agents or business networks had demanded ten per cent out of the contracts.

After we supplied him the questions, he turned around saying he would not heed the Anti-Corruption commission summons.

He knows that as soon as he presents himself to the Commission, he would cease being a witness to being suspect number one because he has questions to answer,” said Murkomen. He nonetheless asked the former PM to “clear his conscience” by presenting himself to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and declare how much money he or his cohorts had allegedly earned from the deal.

“Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich had done his bit. It is time the former Prime Minister takes the dock to explain to the county how much he earned from the contracts which were to be paid using Eurobond and how much he was to earn upon completion of the contracts,” said Murkomen.

Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat reminded Raila that he was not above the law and it would be applied to him just like any other Kenyan.

“The other day the former Prime Minister claimed that Sh140 billion had been lost and when he was summoned to appear before the anti-graft commission he became defiant. We would like to remind him that the he is not above the law and it will be applied to him,” he said.

Soin/Sigowet MP Justice Kemei defended President Uhuru Kenyatta’s overseas trips, arguing that the country had reaped massive benefits from the tours. “We elected the President to represent us in the community of nations. When the President travels outside the country he has a responsibility that he carries on behalf of Kenyans. Nobody should raise the issue of the president’s foreign travels and we must also get resources from other parts of the country to be able to prosper,” he said.

Energy Cabinet Secretary designate Charles Keter expressed confidence that his position would be confirmed after successfully attending vetting on Friday morning.

He said he has held a meeting with Members of Kericho County Assembly over his successor and they had reached a consensus that upon his confirmation to the Cabinet, he would lead a meeting for candidates who have expressed interest.

“We hope that they would agree to pick one among them but if that would fail to work, we would have no alternative but to let them battle it in the nomination to grab the Jubilee party ticket,” he said.