Kalonzo at DCI to clear his name in Yatta land grabbing claims

 

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka accompanied by other party leaders arrives at DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road on Friday. Kalonzo appeared at the DCI headquarters over allegations that he grabbed Yatta land. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

After challenging investigation agencies to probe him over claims he acquired his Yatta land illegally, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Friday presented himself at the DCI headquarters with legal papers showing how he acquired the land.

Kalonzo who was accompanied by his legal team and Wiper leaders made his way to the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road a few minutes to 10am and went straight into a meeting with the officers.

The former vice president’s visit is meant to prove his innocence and to pile pressure on Deputy President William Ruto to also appear before DCI to shed light on land grabbing claims against him.

The Wiper leader on Monday defended himself over claims by Ruto that he illegally acquired 200 acres of land belonging to the National Youth Service in Yatta, Machakos County.

Addressing a press conference in Nairobi, Kalonzo termed the claims as wild and desperate propaganda, describing himself as a person of “high moral and ethical standards.”

“I have nothing to hide and I challenge the authorities to open an investigation into this matter. I am today presenting myself for investigation by the DCI as well as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission,” said Kalonzo.

Speaking during a political rally in Boment County, Ruto told off Kalonzo to stop talking about his newly formed wheelbarrow party when he (Kalonzo) was a land grabber.

Ruto had slammed Kalonzo for doing nothing during his 40 years in government apart from illegally acquiring his Yatta land.

"You have been in leadership for 40 years without doing anything and your only record is that you are living on government land which you have turned to be yours," said Ruto.

Scandals

The Wiper leader turned his guns on Ruto, linking him DP Ruto to about 10 scandals and demanded that the DP subjects himself to a lifestyle audit.

Among the cases, the former vice president listed includes grabbing of former vice president Joseph Murumbi’s land, the 100-acre land belonging to the late Adrian Muteshi, which was settled by the court, the Lang'ata Road Primary School playground and the Weston Hotel land saga.

Muteshi emerged victorious when the court-ordered Ruto to return the land and pay him Sh5 million as compensation.

Kalonzo also wants DP Ruto to be questioned over the unresolved murder of Sergeant Kipyegon Keneni who was attached to his office and another officer Constable David Too jumped who committed suicide after misplacing a camera belonging to Deputy President Press Service.

Former Lands Cabinet Secretary and Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu defended the Wiper leader legally owns the land.

She said during her tenure at the Ardhi House, she perused the documents and indeed confirmed that Kalonzo acquired the land legally.

Ruto’s defiance

Ruto has, however, dismissed Kalonzo’s calls that he subjects himself for a lifestyle audit, saying that he will not allow his opponents to intimidate him ahead of 2022 polls.

“We will not allow them to sell us fear and intimidate us with DCI and EACC that if we don’t do this, they will do that. This country belongs to all of us,” said Ruto.