Raila on the spot over deputy PM

Prime Minister Raila Odinga was hard pressed to explain to Parliament why he has not suspended his deputy Musalia Mudavadi who has been implicated in the fraudulent cemetery land scandal.

MPs also put him on the spot over his differences with President Kibaki on the war against corruption.

The PM faced a House of hostile MPs who spared no chance to question the Government’s commitment to fighting graft.

According to the PM, the Local Government Minister had not been questioned on the controversial purchase of the Sh283 million cemetery land.

“The report says the investigations are incomplete and that Mr Mudavadi has not been spoken to and so it is in itself immature,” he said.

The PM also explained that his differences with the President were because he (Mr Odinga) did not consult widely enough before suspending Cabinet ministers William Ruto and Sam Ongeri who were implicated in corruption in their ministries.

MPs demanded to know why the Prime Minister has not suspended Mr Mudavadi like he had done with Mr Ruto and Prof Ongeri.

Cause and effects

Members’ interest in the graft topic was apparent, forcing House Speaker Kenneth Marende to extend the PM’s session, which usually runs for 45 minutes, to two hours to allow further questioning.

The anxiety in the House did not escape the PM’s attention who had initially prepared a statement on Copenhagen talks but switched to corruption after reading the mood in the Old Chamber where MPs are holding their sessions.

The PM began by issuing a statement: The causes and effects of corruption and the benefits of fighting it. He described it as a collective national shame and disgrace, reiterating his sentiments that the war against it must be personalised and politicised because it involved individuals.

“We must isolate it and tackle it individually and institutionally regardless of positions and affiliation,” he stated. “It is not a PNU or ODM fight, it is a national fight.”

MPs who raised concern included Dr Boni Khalwale who attempted to move a motion to allow the House to adjourn to engage the PM on the matter.

He challenged the PM to explain to the House why his deputy had not faced the same fate as his two cabinet colleagues whom he had suspended earlier.

“Since you suspended Ruto and Ongeri on the premise of the allegations that faced them, are you also contemplating asking Mudavadi to step aside to pave way for investigations now that the President has suspended all senior officers implicated in the cemetery scandal?’’ asked the Ikolomani MP.