Catholic Church rejected William Ruto's car, Raila says

ODM leader Raila Odinga addresses mourners during the burial of former senior chief Daudi Owino Olak at Lifunga Kobiero Village in Ugenya, Siaya County, on March 2, 2019. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  Victor Raballa

What you need to know:

  • Dr Ruto presented a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero to the bishop during the latter’s installation at Uzima University in Kisumu in January.
  • Mr Odinga said the church rejected the vehicle “because it was bought using dirty money”.

Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga on Saturday renewed his war of words with Deputy President William Ruto, questioning the source of the money the latter used to buy a car donated to Kisumu Catholic Archbishop Philip Anyolo.

Mr Odinga said the church rejected the vehicle “because it was bought using dirty money”. DP has in the past denied claims that he is corrupt.

“The Pope insisted that the vehicle be returned. We should stand for the truth,” he said during the funeral of former chief Daudi Owino Olak in Lifunga Kobiero village, Ugenya Sub-County.

Also Read

“Regrettably, the church entertains such gifts which are offered at the expense of development projects like roads and dams.”

HIGHER TAXES

Mr Odinga said corruption is going on even as Kenyans feel the pain of increased taxes.

“It is happening as some people steal taxpayers’ money and carry it in sacks to churches,” he said.

Mr Odinga further said it is hypocritical “for thieves to sanitise their actions in churches”.

“I hear them saying they are investing in heaven. Kenyans should come out in the open and rebuke them,” the ODM boss said.

THE WAR

Mr Odinga also said the fight against corruption does not target any community, religion or race.

Dr Ruto presented a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero to the bishop during the latter’s installation at Uzima University in Kisumu in January.

Archbishop Anyolo took over from Bishop Zacchaeus Okoth.

BY-ELECTION

At the same time, Mr Odinga said he would not campaign for ODM Ugenya parliamentary candidate in the April 5 by-election due to his busy schedule at the African Union.

The AU Special Envoy for Infrastructure and Development, however, urged his supporters to vote for Mr Christopher Karan.

The Supreme Court nullified Mr Karan’s August 8, 2017 election victory.

Senate Minority Leader James Orengo said Mr David Ochieng, who is gunning for the seat on a Movement for Democracy and Growth party ticket, “is an enemy of development who failed to deliver during his time as MP”.

In the headlines