This archive report was first published on 22 August 2020.
Published on August 22, 2020
Parliamentarians from Western Kenya, affiliated with the Tangatanga faction, have accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of overseeing corruption that has cost the public dearly.
Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Malulu Injendi (Malava), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), and Mwambu Mabongah (Bumula) expressed their concerns during a meeting at Mr. Barasa's home, where they drummed up support for Deputy President William Ruto's presidential bid.
The MPs claimed that President Kenyatta's Big Four agenda is unlikely to materialize due to the rampant corruption in his administration.
Mr. Washiali specifically mentioned the Huduma number registration, which he said had not been forgotten, and questioned the President on what happened to the Sh8 billion allocated for the project.
"Before he leaves office, he should tell Kenyans what happened with the Huduma number or else the Sh8 billion registration will be the worst case of graft," he said.
Mr. Barasa accused the government of planning to sell state-owned sugar millers to private investors, saying, "Our economy is crumbling because some people in the government have personal interests [and deals] with the people about to buy the leading sugar factories. We have prepared a mass grave to bury them politically. We can't afford to let our factories be leased to private investors."
Regarding the Covid-19 supplies and donor funds scandal in the Health ministry, the Kimilili MP asked Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe to "smell the coffee, swallow his pride and step aside".
The politicians, accompanied by former Kakamega Senator Boniface Khalwale and a host of MCAs, campaigned at Siuna village, Kibingei Ward, calling on the Luhya community to unite behind Deputy President Ruto's bid.
They accused the Jubilee government of being in autopilot mode following President Kenyatta's handshake with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.
Mr. Washiali called on Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford-Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang'ula (Bungoma senator) to join DP Ruto's camp, saying, "If they continue dilly dallying, they will take Luhyas into the Opposition. Let them join Ruto's bandwagon as he is a true leader."
