Raila accuses Ruto of diverting funds for projects in Nyanza

Raila Odinga distributing relief food to families displaced by floods in Nyando, Kisumu county. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard] Azimio leader Raila Odinga has renewed his criticism of President William Ruto's administration despite the ongoing bipartisan talks. Raila who visited families displaced by floods in Nyando, Kisumu county, poked holes in the Finance Bill 2023 that proposes to expand taxation and vowed to rally his troops to reject it in Parliament. He claimed that the government was fronting selective development and has deliberately diverted funds for projects in some of the areas where the opposition enjoys support because of politics. The ODM leader hinted at taking unspecified action to reclaim his stolen victory should the bi-partisan talks fail. He accused the government of allegedly frustrating some projects that had been planned by former President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration to improve livelihoods. "We will not allow the Finance Bill to go through. We have asked our MPs to reject it," he said. Addressing residents at Migingo, Raila claimed that the government has diverted funds meant for the completion of the Sh20 billion Koru Soin dam to other projects. The multipurpose dam is located about five kilometres upstream of Muhoroni town and across Nyando River that forms the boundary between Kericho and Kisumu counties. Experts said the dam will reduce flooding on lower reaches of River Nyando and supply 72,000m3/day of water for domestic use and irrigation of 2,570 hectares of land and generation of 2.5MW of hydropower. The ODM leader who distributed foodstuff to families displaced by floods following heavy rains further alleged that out of the 12 dams that had been lined up in the budget for funding, Koru Soin dam has been left out because of politics. He regretted that the flood problem in Nyando has been used over the years as a campaign tool. Raila said former President Kenyatta had allocated funds for the dam and the contractor had moved to the site before the Kenya Kwanza government took over. He claimed that the government has also cut funding for the construction of Mamboleo-Miwani road which has been lying in ruins for decades. "We had sat down with the former President and he allocated money and brought a contractor but Ruto's government has removed the allocation in the budget. They have diverted the money to other projects," he said. The Azimio leader alleged that Nyanza residents are being sidelined for failing to vote for President Ruto and his deputy. "In this government, Ruto is the managing director and Gachagua is his deputy. They manage it how they want. They have distributed shares how it pleases them, our people are victims because they did not vote for them. Our people are paying taxes and collecting revenue but when that money goes to the Treasury our people do not get anything," he said. Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o said the Jubilee government had allocated Sh200 million in the budget for Koru Soin dam and the contractor moved to the site but in the list of the 12 dams to be constructed in the country, Koru Soin dam is missing. "So we are not sure if it will be budgeted for. This is why I am calling on all counties in the lake region economic bloc to have each county assembly pass a resolution on the construction of the Koru Soin multipurpose dam. This is the oldest dam which is yet to be completed," he said. The Governor also asked Nyanza MPs and Senators to take a resolution to Parliament and Senate for the completion of Koru Soin dam. Prof Nyong'o said the completion of Koru Soin dam will help stop flooding. More than 1000 households have been affected by the floods in Kisumu following weeks of heavy downpours. Most affected areas are Kolwa Central, Kolwa East, and Kajulu wards in Kisumu East. Other areas are Nyalenda B in Kisumu Central, Ombeyi ward in Muhoroni Sub-county, South West and Central Kisumu Wards in Kisumu West, and parts of the newly gazetted Kadibo Sub County. In Nyalenda B, 90 households had been affected with 46 households displaced from their homes.

Raila accuses Ruto of diverting funds for projects in Nyanza

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

Raila accuses Ruto of diverting funds for projects in Nyanza

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism. Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Trending Now

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.