I'll make Ruto record dams statement, says Orengo

Siaya Senator James Orengo has said he will compel Deputy President William Ruto to record a statement with the police over Rift Valley dams saga.

The legislator said on Saturday in Sega that Ruto seems to have more information about the dams when he insists that Sh7 billion is missing, not Sh21 billion. Orengo said the DP has information that the police need in the probe.

The Senate minority leader said the margin between Ruto's figure and that of the government agency tabled by the DPP,  Sh21 billion, is too big and the DP must clarify where he got his figures.

The Siaya senator urged the President to be firm on the war against corruption by ensuring the DP tells police his side of the story.

"If the President doesn't make Ruto record a statement to clarify his remarks, I will make Ruto record a statement with the police," Orengo said.

He said no one is above the law and as a leader, he won’t sit back and watch as taxpayers money is swindled.

"By clarifying such discrepancies, some posters on one Nairobi bridge showing that Ruto is the face of corruption will not be taken seriously," Orengo said.

He dismissed the outcry by some Rift Valley MPs that their community is being targeted. He termed their complaint “primitive”.

"The government's record, in my possession, of those arrested over corruption allegations during President Kenyatta's regime, shows 43 Kikuyus, 18 Luos, 11 Luhyas and six Kalenjins," he said.

Orengo if a community complains of being targeted, going by the list, then it's that of President Kenyatta, not the Deputy President.

Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi urged the President to deal with corrupt individuals ruthlessly, saying he is the only person with the sword of authority.

The Ugunja MP asked DP Ruto to tame his lieutenants. He said it is bad to see “an MP who does not understand English” threaten the President.

His Gem counterpart Elisha Odhiambo said it's foolhardy for Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi to call the President names just because he is fighting corruption.

"When Governors Okoth Obado and Sospeter Ojaamong were arrested over  allegations of corruption, did Luos and Luhyas call President Kenyatta names?" Odhiambo asked.