Gideon and Raila allies tell off Ruto over assassination claim

ODM leader Raila Odinga and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi console family members of former Assistant Minister Oduya Oprong at Angurai ACK Primary School in Busia County yesterday. Oprong served in President Moi’s Cabinet. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Allies of Opposition leader Minister Raila Odinga and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi tore into Deputy President William Ruto’s assassination claims and accused him of diverting attention from the purge against graft.

In tirades delivered in the presence of the two leaders at the burial of former MP Oduya Oprong, MPs allied to the pair described the claims as farfetched, imaginary and desperate.

Jubilant reception

Raila and Gideon steered clear off the matter, instead reiterating support for the anti-graft purge and handshake politics.

MPs William Kamket (Tiaty), Junet Mohammed (Suna East) and Migori Senator Ochillo Ayako told the DP to cease diverting the country’s attention with absurd claims. They said the DP’s security was very tight.

“The main aim is to divert the attention in the fight against graft,” said Junet.

Ayacko said Ruto owes Kenyans a lot of answers on the assassination claims while Kamket asked the DP to stop taking Kenyans for a ride.

At the burial, Gideon, who delivered personal condolences of former President Daniel arap Moi, was jubilantly received. Oprong was an assistant minister in Mzee Moi’s government. His former boss described him as a high profile debater in the National Assembly, kind, honest and development conscious person.

“I felt devastated when he was shot by unknown people,” Mzee Moi’s eulogy read.

In his message at the burial, Gideon called for a stop on premature campaigns that could derail development. He also declared support for the war against corruption.

“We fully support the ongoing war on corruption and the push for an inclusive government. However, we are against early campaigns for 2022,” said the Kanu chairman.

Raila said he was committed to the fight against graft.

“Very soon Kenyans will see what we mean when we say we want to root out corruption in the country,” he said.

The leaders steered clear of the 2022 succession politics in their speeches.

Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula said there was need for the government to honour former MPs, especially those who served in the first National Assembly.

Better place

Siaya Senator James Orengo said eliminating corruption will make Kenya a better place for everyone.

Kisauni MP Mishi Mboko said a referendum will be held once the Building Bridges Initiative hands over their report to the President. 

Homa Bay MP Gladys Wanga and her Baringo counterpart Gladwel Cheroit called for an end to early campaigns.

“It is God who knows about tomorrow, so let us stop early campaigns and allow the President to deliver his mandate to people,” said Wanga.

Oprong died at the of 83 in May after a long illness. The former Economic and Planning assistant minister had been living with a bullet lodged in his head for over 26 years. He was buried at his Angurai home in Teso.