Raila tells Ruto to explain source of his huge donations in harambees

ODM leader Raila Odinga in Turkana. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard]

ODM leader Raila Odinga yesterday pitched camp for the second day popularising Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) in Turkana County.

Raila also continued his onslaught on Deputy President William Ruto’s Hustler narrative and challenged him to explain to Kenyans the source of money he dishes out in church harambees, youth and women empowerment meetings.

The former Prime Minister, who was accompanied by a host of MPs, said during a BBI popularisation rally in Kakuma that the money Ruto gives out should be treated as ‘voter bribery’.

Earlier yesterday, Raila met Turkana County MCAs, persons with disabilities and youth to drum up support for the BBI Constitutional Amendment Bill before addressing a public rally at Kakuma Baraza park in Turkana West sub-county.

“We all know that Ruto and others were members of the Youth for Kanu (YK92) in 1992 and while some of us were fighting for reforms, they were printing money and splashing it across the country. When he brings the money here, take it and shout your support for BBI after receiving it,” Raila said in Kakuma.

Deputy President William Ruto in Mombasa [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

The ODM chief said under BBI, 25 pe rcent of all contracts in counties and the national government will be given to companies owned by the youth.

Companies owned

Raila said an independent National Youth Commission will be tasked with ensuring companies owned by the youth get their rightful quota of contracts.

“Many Kenyan youth are college and university graduates but they lack starting capital. BBI will ensure they get interest-free loans to facilitate them initiate their own businesses,” Raila said.

Petroleum Cabinet Secretary John Munyes, who accompanied the former premier, described the unity deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila as ‘the best political decision’ for the country.

He said BBI will result in a strong political formation that brings together supporters of Uhuru and Raila.

Jeremiah Lomurukai (Loima), who is the only MP out of the six legislators from Turkana who attended the rally, asked Raila to use his closeness with Uhuru to fix insecurity in parts of Turkana.

He said recent attacks in Kapedo and volatile border situations with neighbouring South Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda border have derailed development in Turkana.