Raila rallies locals to vote out Jubilee over graft claim

ODM leader Raila Odinga on Thursday said the country was at a crossroads due to corruption arguing it should be voted out in the coming elections.

He further said the auditor-general has vindicated his position that Sh250 billion Eurobond proceeds were not accounted for.

“Jubilee has messed up this country by protecting the corrupt and marginalising the rest of Kenyans from government. We cannot let this continue and next year’s election is the best opportunity to vote out Jubilee,” he said.

He said a report by the auditor-general indicated that Sh250 billion was lost in the Eurobond saga.

However, the auditor-general says the amount can’t be accounted for as yet.

“The auditor-general in his report says he cannot trace any projects the billions of shillings were spent on,” said Mr Odinga.

He added that the governor of the Central Bank had declined to meet him and give information on Eurobond claiming it was a confidential matter between a bank and a client.

“An issue involving public money cannot be confidential. Jubilee should stop playing games with a serious issue affecting the lives of ordinary citizens languishing in poverty,” said the politician.

However, Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo on Thursday maintained that Sh88 billion was deposited in the Consolidated Fund from the Eurobond account in June 2014.

The opposition leader, who was accompanied by Kakamega governor and deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya, made a passionate call to people in western Kenya not to abandon him, saying he had a better chance of winning the presidency next year.

He spoke as he cut short his Kakamega tour to head to Mombasa for the 10th anniversary celebrations for his party.

Mr Odinga was scheduled to address rallies in Lugari Constituency today.

I AM MORE CAPABLE

The former premier has been in the region to rally support for his presidential campaign.

The governing Jubilee coalition is also fighting to get the region out of Mr Odinga’s grip.

Speaking in Kakamega, Mr Odinga said Deputy President William Ruto should explain the source of huge donations he makes in meetings.

Mr Odinga said the DP earned a salary of less than Sh2 million a month but donated some Sh50 million each month.

He claimed President Kenyatta was contributing to the woes among sugar farmers by allowing the importation of cheap sugar when he signed an agreement with President Yoweri Museveni.

The fact is, sugar imports from Uganda, are governed by the East African Community treaty which allows members to export goods to each others country.

He asked the government to transfer its 20 per cent holding in Mumias Sugar Company to the Kakamega County government to help restructure operations of the miller and put the firm back to profitability.

The opposition chief said Cord would focus on ensuring all regions in the country receive equal shares of resources if it formed the next government.

Mr Odinga addressed road side campaign rallies at Eregi, Ifwetere, Imbiakalo, Kimangeti, Tombo and Chegulo where party supporters turned up in large numbers to welcome him.