CORD leader Raila Odinga has made allegations against the Jubilee administration, stating that it is engaged in a large-scale looting spree at the expense of Kenyan citizens.
Raila claimed that the government has been allocating budgets to areas where it is easy to misappropriate funds, citing the National Youth Service (NYS), National Police Service, National Intelligence Service (NIS), and the Eurobond as examples.
"We are almost becoming the Messi or Ronaldo in the league of corruption. Of course, what that means is that there is serious looting taking place. To say they are over-stealing is not a compliment. And they do not even challenge it. They do not feel ashamed,"
he said.
Allegations of Corruption and Mismanagement ¶
Raila alleged that the police, NIS, and NYS have been receiving excessive budget allocations, making it easier for corrupt cartels to access the funds. He also claimed that the government may be condoning ghost workers or paying salaries of staff who were transferred to counties in 2013.
"These sectors are getting more than all counties combined, yet the counties are 47 and they are providing critical services. Most of the functions of the national government, which would have taken more money at the national government level, have been devolved, yet we continue to give counties less,"
he said.
Retendering of Projects and Alleged Kickbacks ¶
Raila further alleged that the Jubilee administration retendered major projects awarded under the previous coalition government to maximize kickbacks. He cited the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Greenfield Terminal project as examples.
"SGR was already procured during our time in government. But when they came in, they cancelled it and retendered. This Greenfield Terminal project was retendered as well. They cancelled it. In the end, the CEO, Stephen Gichuki, lost his job for having done the right thing. Then they brought in Lucy Mbugua, who found herself in trouble too,"
he said.
Renewed Attacks on Devolution Cabinet Secretary ¶
Raila renewed his criticism of Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru, who survived a second impeachment attempt in Parliament. He claimed that President Uhuru Kenyatta was protecting her and that her actions at the NYS depicted a plan to steal.
Raila also expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in handling the Eurobond proceeds, stating that banking the proceeds in a foreign account before spending them reeked of corruption.
