State faulted for recalling Raila’s cars
PHOTO | JENNIFER MUIRURI Mr Odinga (centre) is welcomed by supporters and security personnel at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport when he arrived from a tour at the US in July.
What you need to know:
- Atwoli, clergy and MPs describe the move as unfair and rude
Government’s decision to recall vehicles assigned to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka on Sunday came under heavy criticism.
Central Organisation of Trade Unions boss Francis Atwoli, Anglican Church of Kenya Mombasa diocese head Julius Kalu and some MPs describe the move as “unfair” and “disrespectful” of former leaders.
Bishop Kalu said both current and former leaders deserved to be treated with equal respect and dignity.
“The current leaders are at the helm because of past ones and, therefore, they should be treated with courtesy,” he said after unveiling a Sh100,000 complex of his church.
Former heads of state and the prime minister among other state officials, he said, should not be belittled because they all did commendable work during their tenures.
He cautioned the Jubilee leadership against spending a lot of time squabbling over trivial matters and instead focus on fulfilling its pledges to Kenyans.
“Witch-hunting, unnecessary opposition and endless politics will not help the country move in the right direction. All these are happening where there is shortage of grace,” said the clergy in his sermon to the congregation.
He called on the central government to stop holding on functions that should be carried out by county governments.
“The meaning of devolution is bringing closer essential services to the public. Therefore, the central government must devolve all functions assigned to the counties by the Constitution.”
Mr Atwoli asked the government to treat Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka with respect.
“I want to tell those being used to humiliate the two leaders that their time to retire will also come and I do not think they will be happy to undergo such ordeals,” he said at Got Rateng Secondary School in Kabondo Kasipul, where he helped to raise over Sh1.6 million.
He said there were more civilised ways of asking the two former leaders to return State vehicles.
His sentiments were echoed by MPs Silvance Osele and Millie Odhiambo, both of whom said Kenya was watching those harassing the two leaders.
The order to surrender the government vehicles first came from Government Spokesman Muthui Kariuki before Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku repeated it.
