Raila cannot sign government deals, Azimio responds to Mudavadi allegations

Professor Makau Mutua Spokesperson Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign Secretariat. [File, Standard]

Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition has dismissed allegations made by Kenya Kwanza Alliance co-principal Musalia Mudavadi, saying its presidential candidate has no legal capacity to sign deals on behalf of the state.

Hours before, the Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader had made a statement accusing President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga of signing a deal that will lease the Kenyan ports to a firm in Dubai.

In a statement, Azimio’s spokesperson Prof Makau Mutua has described the remarks as ‘wild and reckless allegations.

“A losing side deploys such tactics. Their defeat in the August polls is imminent and apparent; the Kenya Kwanza grouping is clutching at straws on a slippery slope. I have consulted with the Rt Hon Raila Odinga, the Azimio presidential candidate, about this matter. He has undoubtedly dismissed these allegations with the contempt they deserve,” Mutua stated.

“Mr Odinga is not in government or part of it and does not have any legal capacity to enter into any official contracts or agreements on behalf of the state,”

Mudavadi had accused the Head-of-State of colluding with former premier Raila Odinga to hash out the specifics of the deal which he said had seen.

According to him if the deal is implemented, the Dubai Port World FZE take over operations at Mombasa, Lamu and Kisumu ports.

He claimed that Treasury CS Ukur Yatani signed the deal on March 1, 2022.

“This deal was mooted in a meeting in Mombasa disguised as Raila's birthday party attended by outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Odinga and the Governor of Mombasa Ali Hassan Joho amongst other State capture agents who are the principal beneficiaries of the deal, " read the Kenya Kwanza statement.