Legislators to Ruto: Come out clean on dams project cash

A section of legislators have now want Deputy President William Ruto to declare his interests in the Kimwarer and Arror dams where reports claim up-to KSh21Billion has been lost. Ruto has openly criticized those claims, saying only KSh7B is in question.

A statement by members of parliament, coming barely two days after ODM leader Raila Odinga told off Ruto over his remarks, demanded that the DP tells the country what he knows about the dams project in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

“As members of Parliament, we are appaled at the reaction by Deputy President William Ruto to revelations that the country lost billions of shillings through shadowy and even criminal procurement in a bid to build dams in various parts of the country,” read the statement signed by eight legislators and ODM treasurer Timothy Bosire.

“For reasons that are difficult to fathom but that are anyone’s guess, the Deputy Presisent has taken over the role of spokesman for Arror, Kimwarer and Etare dams and the various ministries involved.”

The MPs, who include anc nominated legislator Godfrey Osotsi and woman representatives Gladys Wanna and Florence Mutua as well as Caleb Amisi (Saboti), Jared Okello (Nyando) and Anthony Oluoch (Mathare) have dismissed Ruto’s claims that revelations about the scandal were made by the opposition, maintaining “they came from the government in which Ruto serves as DP.”

“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has confirmed that it is indeed investigating the loss of upto Ksh 21 billion in construction of dams.

“To the utter shock of Kenyans, Mr William Ruto has taken it upon himself to explain this scam, making himself the spokesperson for ministries of Water, Agriculture and other affeced ministries.”

They accuse Ruto of contradiction the DCI and other institutions tasked with investigations by giving “his own version of the amount lost, “a mere Ksh7 billion.”

“Even more shocking is the degree to which the DP has personalised this matter, blaming the revelations on the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga. He seems to be craving “the good old days” when associates would steal in peace.

“We are challenging the Deputy President to help Kenyans understand what his interest is in this corruption case that is making him take up the role of spokesman for ministries and contradicting the government.

“We also challenge the Deputy President to explain to Kenyans whether he has faith in the capacity of the DCI to conduct investigations for the government and why he is interfering with the work of that agency which currently enjoys the confidence of the majority of Kenyans.”

The legislators maintain the DP has no role in investigating corruption, a function they claim solely lies in the multiple government agencies as provided for by law. They further claim Ruto has no role in any other function including that of coordinating government projects.

“The role of coordinating government was officially handed over to a very competent Cabinet Secretary for Interior Dr. Fred Matiangi. Ruto must respect that.”

Ruto, they say, must separate “his 2022 presidential ambitions from the desire by the people of Kenya for a clean and honest government,” saying that Kenyans want a clean government.

“Kenyans will not suspend that desire so that Mr Ruto can be President. Corruption must be fought today and not tomorrow. Ruto is either with Kenyans on this or he is against Kenyans, in which case, he is alone. There are no two ways about it.”