Oscar Sudi announces leave, possible retirement

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi says he is contemplating quitting active politics after critics questioned the source of his ‘generous’ contributions in church harambees.

In a selfie video shared by the MP on his X account, Sudi announced his decision to take a sabbatical leave from public engagements for the next one or two years on account of the ‘hateful’ critics.

“I am thinking of quitting politics altogether because I’m doing much more in politics than what I’m doing for myself,” he said.

The legislator was replying to Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale who, while addressing a church congregation in his county, called on President Ruto to rein in on politicians showing off their expensive material possessions to Kenyans angered by government’s extravagance.

Senator Khalwale further asserted that the wealth may have been looted from public coffers, an assertion that caught the ire of Sudi who allegedly recently contributed twenty million shillings in a single fundraiser.

“I’ve heard the debate about a twenty-million-shilling contribution for two weeks. That was the total contribution. The church alone contributed fourteen million and we topped it up. I have always contributed to the churches even before being elected into office,” he explained.

The MP has accused his critics of targeting him unfairly saying that his wealth was hard-earned, in some cases before joining politics.

“Those asking about my watch should check when I acquired it. I bought my Range Rover at twenty-two years old,” he said.

According to Sudi, the popular ‘harambee’ funds drives need to be banned as some people are using them to malign leaders while scrutinising their wealth thus beating the point of an otherwise noble initiative.

 “I believe that we should ban these fundraisers. Many people have no idea what we go through to get the money,” said the MP.