Lip service will not address graft and insecurity, Raila tells Uhuru

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has accused President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee government of not doing enough to fight corruption.

Raila accused the Government of paying lip service to Kenyans even as the country reeled from corruption, ethnicity and insecurity that threatens to tear apart nationhood.

The former PM said despite President Kenyatta's 60-day directive to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to conclude investigations into corruption, graft goes on in the public sector unabated. Uhuru's 60-day ultimatum ends today yet none of the 'big fish' in the EACC list has been charged.

"The deadline is here and there are no heads rolling. All we see are files to and from the Director of Public Prosecutions, saying so and so has been cleared. We want the President to be more systematic about the fight on graft. You can't order investigation on corruption and at the same time turn to disband EACC," said Mr Raila.

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader was speaking yesterday at the Nairobi Pentecostal Church, Valley Road, after attending a morning service. He claimed that the main players in grand corruption are still in office because of lack of decisive action on the President's part.

"When he promised to fight corruption, we all supported him but we are now asking what about the high priest of corruption? The President must make the hard choice, and take drastic action on the day-to-day corruption. He knows his duty," the Opposition chief said.

On Saturday, Uhuru criticised his opponents, saying it is unfortunate that Opposition leaders spend most of their time politicking without offering tangible solutions to the problems affecting wananchi.

Misleading Kenyans

Speaking in Nyeri, the President trashed the Okoa Kenya and Pesa Mashinani initiatives, which are asking for changes to the Constitution, saying those leading them are misleading Kenyans for their own selfish gain.

"We don't want noise. Calls for more funds and referendum to change the Constitution are misplaced. Those making a lot of noise are the same people who said the Constitution will not be changed even a coma," the President said.

But in response, Raila defended the pressure on Government, saying as Opposition they are only seeking to offer alternatives and solutions on how to govern.

"We are not seeking to undermine the Government of the day, but we are telling them that we have a chance to do what is good for the country. We mean well for everyone, and Okoa Kenya wants to improve governance," he said.

"This Government is lukewarm to devolution, they are undermining it on a daily basis," he added.

The CORD leader was accompanied by Kitui Senator David Musila and Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga. He said Okoa Kenya seeks to unite and provide solutions to the challenges facing the country including insecurity and poverty.

"In spite of race, tribe or gender, we are all one. No Kenyan is more equal than the other. No one chooses to be born a man or a Turkana. We must be proud to be Kenyans," Raila said.

"The problems in our country can be solved. Kenyans must learn tolerance and hold dialogue to find solutions," he added.

But National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale took on Raila, arguing that the CORD leader has no moral authority to criticise President Uhuru's and Jubilee's resolve to fight corruption. He also said Raila was a Prime Minister in a Government that was awash with scams.

"There is nothing like a high priest of corruption. He was the supervisor of ministries when Kazi Kwa Vijana, Triton, maize and Tokyo embassy scams took place," Mr Duale said.

In any case, Duale added, Uhuru and Ruto had demonstrated their will to fight corruption by directing their key allies to step aside and pave way for investigations.

Both the CORD leader and the Council of Governors agree that the Jubilee administration has been frustrating devolution and have begun talks aimed at merging the Okoa Kenya and Pesa Mashinani referendum campaigns.