President is condoning graft, claims CORD

By Benard Sanga

Mombasa, Kenya: CORD leaders have accused the President of abetting corruption by defending the controversial tender for the construction of the standard gauge railway.

CORD senators, accompanied by New Ford-Kenya’s Boni Khalwale, demanded the suspension of the project and accused the President of trying to intimidate critics of the tender awarded to a Chinese firm.

Led by Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula, the leaders who were attending a meeting in Mombasa, faulted the President on his statement that ‘no amount of noise’ would stop the controversial Sh327 billion project. The Bungoma County senator said Uhuru’s press conference at State House on Tuesday was to intimidate Parliament and gag anyone from criticising the project.

“The President is taking this country back to the dictatorial days when divergent views were silenced. The President should answer the questions raised over the project,” said Wetang’ula yesterday.

Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki also faulted Uhuru on the statement, noting that he should free himself from a cartel that is out to hold the Jubilee administration hostage.

He said he had no apologies to make over his remarks against the tender and that the President has admitted the existence of such a cartel.

However, he criticised the opposition for insinuating that the President was out to muzzle the National Assembly saying Uhuru “did not summon Parliament or call for it to stop investigations.”

He said that the construction of the railway was one of the deliverable projects that the Jubilee administration was keen to complete before the next election.

Elgeyo/Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said he was satisfied with the President’s statement and the railway tender process.