Jubilee leaders tell Raila to give back molasses plant, other property

By PETER ATSIAYA

Jubilee Alliance leaders have defended themselves against claims by Prime Minister Raila Odinga that they were beneficiaries of looted public resources.

Led by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, the leaders said that Raila’s allegations were false and out to portray his rivals negatively before voters.

Speaking in Kakamega County on Saturday, Uhuru said he was not scared of threats by Raila to ensure that all looted property was returned if Cord Coalition forms the next government.

“The PM has reverted to use of abuse and maligning his opponents. He is targeting the Jubilee principals because they pose a big threat to him. I am telling him to watch his tongue,” said Uhuru.

He added: “We are not moved by his propaganda because Kenyans know the truth.” Former Budalang’i MP Raphael Wanjala said Raila should be the last person to declare that he would ensure looted property is returned as his family was a beneficiary of such illegally acquired property.

“I support Raila for declaring that he would recover all stolen property but urge him to start by surrendering the Molasses plant in Kisumu whose acquisition by his family is questionable,” said Wanjala.

He added: “If he wants us to state other property that members of the Odinga family have looted I will do so because I have served in the Government as a minister and I have the dossier,” the former Water assistant minister said. The DPM was addressing the first joint Jubilee Alliance rally since they signed the deal at Malava Trading Centre.

Said Uhuru: “Raila has been on record praising Ruto when things were good between them but after parting ways Ruto has turned out to be a bad man; he tore into Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka but now they are political darlings. Raila ni kigeugeu (Raila lacks a stand),” said the DPM, adding that ODM had remained a shell after all Pentagon members ditched it with the last being Co-operatives minister Joe Nyagah.

“Mudavadi, Ruto, Ngilu (Charity) and Balala (Najib) who were giving ODM a national outlook have gone so where would he get the numbers to beat Jubilee,” posed Uhuru.

Uhuru, UDF’s Musalia Mudavadi and his URP counterpart William Ruto were received with jubilation by thousands of their supporters as they arrived at the rally.

Leaders who accompanied them included Cabinet Ministers Soita Shitanda and Naomi Shaban, Assistant Ministers George Khaniri, Kazungu Kambi and Manyala Keya, MPs  Boni Khalwale, Ferdinand Waititu, William Kabogo, Linah Chebii, Aden Duale, George Nyamweya, Jeremiah Kioni, Yusuf Chanzu, Justus Kizito, Ben Washiali and Alfred Sambu.