DP William Ruto accuses Opposition of plot to scare away investors

Deputy President William Ruto has accused the Opposition of plotting to sabotage the economy by scaring away investors and donors.

He said the government was ready to answer any queries including the Eurobond issue and other corruption-related questions, but added that Opposition leaders appeared to be dishonest in their claims.

“It is time we call this bluff. If their mission is not to sabotage, to undermine and destroy the economy of Kenya, let them take their stories to the relevant institutions of governance instead of spreading propaganda, gossip and rumours,” Mr Ruto said.

He criticised Cord leader Raila Odinga for snubbing last week’s invite by Treasury CS Henry Rotich to get answers on the Eurobond and instead “bragging” that he was a big man.

“If you are big man why should you ask questions whose answers are with a small person?” the DP asked.

The DP was speaking at the St Bernadette Catholic Church, Ngoingwa in Thika on Sunday during a fundraiser.

He was accompanied by senators Kithure Kindiki and Beatrice Elachi, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a and her counterparts Kimani Ichung'wah (Kikuyu), Esther Gathogo (Ruiru), Irungu Kang’ata (Kiharu) and Murang’a Woman Rep Sabina Chege.

ECONOMIC SABOTEURS

“These people are not interested in the wellbeing of the country; they are economic saboteurs.

“When we tell them to meet Mr Rotich at Treasury they run to the streets to spread gossip. Kenyans need to know who is talking the truth,” Mr Ruto said.

He said the government had nothing to hide and welcomed criticism from all Kenyans and told Opposition leaders to stop making empty threats.

“Some people believe in politics of impoverishing the masses so that they may lead or remain relevant.

“We have no time for useless politics and the Jubilee government is committed to delivering its mandate to the people,” said the DP.

He took issue with some politicians who were opposed to fundraisers in aid of churches and asked the clergy to pray for them.

CHEAP POLITICS

Mr Kindiki told the Opposition not to turn the war on corruption into an “exercise of playing small-time and cheap politics.”

“The Opposition is quick to ask questions on corruption, but when the same queries are put to them including the Kisumu Molasses, the Japanese Embassy scam, Kazi kwa Vijana and other scandals, they suddenly go mute,” said the Senate Majority Leader.

Ms Ng’ang’a and Mr Ichung'wah criticised the IEBC for appointing a committee to handle a case against Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula.

“The IEBC is not bigger than the courts and should act on the recommendations of the Judiciary instead of appointing a kangaroo court,” Ms Ng’ang’a said.

Mr Ichung'wah accused Cord leaders of attempting to cover up their scandals by trying to paint Jubilee as corrupt. He said Mr Wetang’ula should carry his burdens alone.

Ms Elachi and Ms Chege said claims by the Opposition regarding the Eurobond matter were a scheme to ruin the economy.

Ms Gathogo said people from Mt Kenya region were firmly behind Mr Ruto and would vote for him as a bloc in 2022.