Raila says Kazi Kwa Vijana funds were not stolen

By Steve Mkawale

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said not a single cent earmarked for Kazi Kwa Vijana project was stolen.

The PM dismissed allegations that officials in his office have looted the fund meant to empower the youth.

Raila said those alleging theft were spreading propaganda with the hope of swaying the youth vote in the next General Election.

"I know they have a lined up a series of scandals to malign me ahead of the election, but I want Kenyans to know that I am as white as cotton. Not a single cent will be lost through scam under my watch," said Raila.

He was addressing a crowd at Namanga trading centre in Kajiado where he held a series of public meetings.

Recently politicians allied to the G7 alliance and some rebel ODM MPs alleged misappropriation of the KKV funds.

This came after a World Bank interim report on the funds raised questions over some Sh33 million in 14 expenditure items that had been identified as potentially not entitled for repayment from the proceeds of the World Bank credit.

But Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi told Parliament last week that the report was subject to change after quality assurance reviews and validation.

Opposed to Constitution

The PM on Saturday said the mudslinging and name calling perpetrated by some leaders seeking presidency in 2012 would not cow him.

Cabinet minister Fred Gumo and William ole Ntimama, Assistant Minister Joseph Nkaiseri were among leaders who accompanied the Prime Minister.

Raila attacked some politicians seeking president in the next polls, saying they were not fit to lead.

"They are the same people who opposed the Constitution; they cannot be trusted to implement it. Kenyans must reject such leaders," he said.

Massive wealth

Gumo, the Regional Development minister, dismissed members of the G7 Alliance seeking president, saying some of them were responsible for the plunder of the economy.

"How would they explain the source of their massive wealth? Where did they get money to buy helicopters?" asked Gumo amid applause from the crowd.

He urged voters to reject them at the ballot claiming they would loot the economy that had improved.

Ntimama also said the G7 members were ganging up to block Raila from the presidency.

"Their interest is to block Raila from being the next president, but I want to assure the PM that the Maasai community will rally behind him," he said.

The Kajiado Central MP: "There are young people who have joined a group of leaders calling themselves G7, that is not the way to go."

Raila addressed rallies in Maili Tisa, Iibisil and Kajiado town.