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The Nairobian

CORD leader Raila Odinga lauds Tobiko’s move to re-open files

Nairobi

By Eric lungai | Jan 24, 2016

CORD leader Raila Odinga has welcomed a directive by the Director of Public Prosecutions that files on the Eurobond be re-opened, and said that ultimately those behind the disappearance of billions of shillings must be named.

Raila said DPP Keriako Tobiko's actions have given the strongest indications yet that something was amiss in regard to the Eurobond.

On Friday, Tobiko said the report submitted to him by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had issues that needed to be clarified before he decides whether or not to close the file.

Reacting to the DPP's statement Raila said: "Tobiko had said investigations into the scam had been completed, but he has changed his mind again by re-opening the files. That shows the matter warrants investigations."

The former Prime Minister was speaking at the funeral of Phoebe Akasa, his daughter Rosemary Odinga's the mother-in-law, at Epanga Primary School in Vihiga County yesterday.

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"When I initially said that the Eurobond loan had been misappropriated, they said I was lying and should write statements to prove it. They even threatened to have me arrested," he said.

He noted that even the senior government officials who threatened to sue him had not done so, in reference to officials he had cited as persons of interest in the matter.

Last week, the DPP returned the file to the EACC and indicated some information was missing. The EACC had cleared the National Treasury's officials, including Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, and asked Tobiko to order a forensic audit on all projects in the ministries that had received funds allocated from the Eurobond.

Raila said those who had doubted claims that money was lost must now take notice, and noted that he had been dismissed in similar fashion when he queried the misuse of funds at the National Youth Service (NYS).

Ultimately his complaints promoted investigators to move in and led to the resignation of several officials some of whom are now facing various charges in court.

"Whether they like it or not, they must tell Kenyans the truth about the Eurobond," Raila said, who observed that not everyone who claims that they were whistle blowers in Jubilee should be believed.

"This government did not come into office legitimately. That is why everything is choking them," he said and urged Kenyans to vote out the Jubilee Coalition in the next elections.

He asked local leaders to focus on developing their regions.

"If the government implements projects in your regions, it does not mean it is doing you a favour. It is your right to be served by the Jubilee Government," he said.

Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga, Vihiga Senator George Khaniri, MPs Wilbur Ottichilo (Emuhaya), Chris Omulele (Luanda), nominated Senator Oburu Odinga and former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende attended the funeral.

Khaniri said he is among those who will back Raila's fight against corruption.

"We must make sure that our people, starting from the counties upward, enjoy development devoid of corruption," said the senator.