Jubilee leaders rubbish Raila on Eurobond, medical scheme

More than 20 Jubilee MPs on Saturday described Cord leader Raila Odinga's recent attack against the Government as a sign of panic ahead of next year's elections.

The MPs said Mr Odinga had sensed that he will lose the 2017 General Election that's why he was in "frenzy talking about anything but nothing."

Mr Odinga's criticism of International Criminal Court (ICC) for dropping the cases against President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, they argued, was a clear indication that he was banking on the cases to ascend to power.

They said all the questions the former Prime Minister had asked about Eurobond had been answered.

They said he was now attacking the Government's plan to revolutionise the healthcare system to remain relevant.

The MPs spoke in Ol Jororok, Nyandarua County, during a fundraiser to buy five buses for schools in the area.

DP Ruto who was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki was the chief guest.

'BIG LOSS'

Mr Ruto also told the Opposition to prepare a big loss in the elections now that Cord was losing its supporters to Jubilee.

The MPs said the Constitution provides clear laws on how to remove commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

They said the commission cannot be removed in public barazas or press conferences.

They dared the Opposition to make good their plan to disband the IEBC through Parliament if they were serious in their pronouncements.

Those critical of Mr Odinga's recent style included MPs Kabando wa Kabando, Muthomi Njuki, Moses Kuria, Bernard Shinali, Njogu Barua, Wanjiku Muhia, William Kisang, Elijah Busienei, victor Munyaka, Samuel Chepkonga and Karue Muriuki.

Others were David Kiaraho, K Kinyanjui, Wachira Karani, Bernard Mutura, Jude Jomo, Samuel Gicigi, John Waiganjo, Kinyua Weru, Stephen Ngare, Waweru Nderitu and Governor Daniel Waithaka.

Mr Kabando said Mr Odinga had put all hope in the incriminating of the President and Deputy President to ascend to power.

He said Mr Odinga had shown contempt for all institutions that wanted to listen to his grievances.

SELFISH INTEREST

The former Prime Minister, he said, had declined to present his evidence on Eurobond to Parliament, which had asked him to, and also declined an invitation by Treasury Cabinet Henry Rotich.

Mr Munyaka said: "We are tired with leaders who plan to cause violence for their selfish interest."

The MPs were confident that the Jubilee Government will retain power easily as it had a huge following in the country.

MPs from Central Kenya told the people in the region to back Mr Ruto in the 2022 elections.

Mr Ruto said the Government cannot interfere with the Judiciary and the IEBC because they are independent institutions.

The Deputy President said anyone interested in changing the institutions should follow the law.

"Some of those in the Opposition had hoped to ride to power if the cases at ICC had gone the way they wanted," the Deputy President added.

Mr Ruto defended the medical equipment leasing programme saying it had enabled far flung hospitals to have modern equipment.