Ruto responds to Raila’s Eurobond questions

The National Treasury is open to all Kenyans with questions on Eurobond money, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

Speaking in Garissa on Saturday, the DP reiterated that no money was lost and called on Opposition leader Raila Odinga to ‘stop spreading propaganda.’

Mr Ruto told locals who had attended a fundraiser he was officiating at Garissa Primary School in aid of Madrasatul Khadija Girls and Imam Malik Education centre that the government was ready to offer any information sought about Eurobond money.

He accused Mr Odinga of insincerity saying that the ODM leader was invited to be given information but failed to honour the invite by Treasury CS Henry Rotich.

Mr Ruto said Mr Odinga was not interested in knowing how the money was spent but keen on spreading negative propaganda against the government ‘to deceive gullible Kenyans for political gains.’

He said allegations by Opposition leaders that the proceeds of the Eurobond were misused is aimed at violating future engagements with foreign institutions that subscribed to the previous Eurobond funds.

“What they (opposition leaders) are doing is just to sabotage the economy by scaring away investors but we want to tell them that they will not succeed,” said Mr Ruto.

Addressing wananchi at Garissa stadium after a tour of Garissa University College, the Deputy President said all documents relating to the Eurobond proceeds were readily available.

He told those questioning how the funds were used to familiarise themselves with the documents, which he added were available, both in soft and hard copies.

“As Jubilee government we are prepared to put all our books open for everyone so that any Kenyan can inspect for the truth to be known. We are telling the Opposition to stop the propaganda,” said the Mr Ruto.

IGNORED INVITE

The DP insisted that the government is committed to fighting corruption adding that any civil servant accused of graft will carry their own crosses while fraudulent private institutions doing business with the government will be no longer allowed to transact any business with the government.

“We told these leaders to go to the treasury to get the information they had asked about Eurobond but they chose to go to funerals and press conferences,” said Mr Ruto.

The Deputy President noted that some leaders believed in the philosophy of impoverishing people in order to lead them.

“We have lots of poverty in this country and those who believe that people should be poor in order for them to manipulate as they seek leadership. That is tragic,” said Mr Ruto.

More than 50 MPs led by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale told off the Opposition leaders accusing them of seeking cheap publicity on the Eurobond issue.

“The Opposition leaders are not sincere in what they are pursuing. They just want to sabotage the economy of this country,” said Mr Duale.

He said the aim of the Government to participate in the Eurobond issue was to ensure the local interest rates were reduced noting that Jubilee could not engage on matters, which were not beneficial to its people.

“If the former Prime Minister thinks that Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich has to look for him to explain to him how the Eurobond proceeds were used, then he is misled,” said Mr Duale.

He told Opposition leaders to present any evidence of alleged misuse of the Eurobond proceeds to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Eacc) instead of spreading lies about the issue.

“In the next ten days, Kenyans will know who between the Opposition and the Government is telling them the truth,” he said.

KAZI KWA VIJANA

Beatrice Elachi (nominated) and Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete) wondered why the Opposition was engaging in smear campaigns aimed at sabotaging the country’s economy.

“The issue of economy touches on the lives of all Kenyans and leaders must be careful in their speeches so as not utter words that can sabotage it (economy),” said Mr Waititu.

Ms Elachi said the former Prime Minister should first explain to Kenyans how funds allocated to the then Kazi Kwa Vijana programme were used instead of coming up with wild accusations against the Government.

“Leaders should be responsible for their utterances. As Jubilee we accept genuine criticism but people should not criticize others just for the sake of it,” said Ms. Elachi.

ICC CASE

The MPs said they were optimistic that the cases facing Mr Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang would soon be terminated arguing that the cases were politically motivated.

“ICC should come to terms to the fact that Ruto and Sang are innocent people. Does it mean they were responsible for violence, which broke out spontaneously across the country? No way,” said Mr Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati).

Governors Nathif Jama (Garissa), Godana Doyo (Isiolo) and Ali Roba (Mandera) criticised those opposing the harambee spirit.

The leaders vowed to continue participating in harambees as one way of helping the unfortunate members of the society.

“I must sincerely thank the Deputy President for his generosity and may God continue to bless him. Most of the people from pastoral communities are where they are today because of the harambee spirit,” said Mr Jama.

"It is more blessed to give than to receive,” said Governor Roba.