Raila claims Jubilee is broke after losing money in scandals
Cord leader Raila Odinga confers with Tana River Governor Hussein Dado shortly after arriving at Hola airstrip on August 20, 2016. Mr Odinga claimed that the Treasury has run out of money. PHOTO | GALGALO BOCHA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Odinga said the Treasury has run out of money with billions of shillings meant for projects stolen in series of mega scandals.
- The Cord leader said the government lost billions in the NYS scandal and Eurobond affair.
- Mr Odinga alleged that the stolen money will be used to bribe voters in next year’s General Elections.
Cord leader Raila Odinga concluded his four-day tour of Coast region on Saturday claiming that the Jubilee government is broke after losing money in National Youth Service and Eurobond scandals.
Addressing political rallies in Hola and Garsen towns in Tana River County, Mr Odinga said the Treasury has run out of money with billions of shillings meant for projects stolen in series of mega scandals.
“There is no money in the Treasury to finance huge projects the Jubilee government pledged to Kenyans. Where is the 10,000 km road network, jobs for youth and women, modern stadia and laptop project?” asked the ODM party leader.
“They went overseas and borrowed billions of shillings which ended up in individuals’ pockets and returned home empty handed.”
Further, Mr Odinga alleged that the stolen money will be used to bribe voters in next year’s General Elections, adding that Cord is determined to remove Jubilee from power.
“They will come around and entice you with the stolen money. I tell you to take that money but do not thank them because that is your money and you will pay the huge debts,” said Mr Odinga.
Mr Odinga told Hola and Garsen residents to vote for Cord coalition, saying Jubilee government is viciously fighting the county government to ensure governors do not address perennial social- economic challenges facing Kenyans.
He said county governments are unable to unlock underdevelopment in the country due to poor disbursement of money from the Treasury.
“The little development you have witnessed around is from the paltry 15 per cent of the total budget utilised by counties, while Jubilee retained more than 56 per cent which it cannot account for,” alleged Mr Odinga.
He said devolution will only succeed when Jubilee government is removed from power in 2017 elections.
“This government is not only corrupt but has no interest of ensuring devolution is successful,” said Mr Odinga at Hola Stadium.
Tana River Governor Hussein Dado, his deputy governor Jire Siyat, ODM’s gubernatorial aspirant Adam Dhidha and several Cord MCAs assured Mr Odinga that they would ensure the county remains his stronghold next year.
Mr Odinga also held two closed-door meetings with local ODM leaders in Garsen and Hola town including MPs Willy Mtengo (Malindi) and Nyando’s Fred Outa.
