MPs failing Kenya in anti-graft war - Raila

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta (L) greets opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition after addressing a news conference at the Harambee house office in Nairobi, Kenya March 9, 2018. REUTERS
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta (L) greets opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition after addressing a news conference at the Harambee house office in Nairobi, Kenya March 9, 2018. REUTERS

ODM leader Raila Odinga has blamed MPs for laxity in the fight against corruption.

He said it's unfortunate that parliament has chosen to be on the wrong side of history by siding with suspects who “everybody knows are involved in dirty corruption.”

Raila was referring to a joint committee on sugar scandal whose report was rejected last week for being “shallow and inconclusive”.

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“It is like sending a hungry dog to chase a thief carrying meat, the thief drops the meat and the dog lets him go,” Raila said during the

burial of Migori senator Ben Oluoch Okello on Monday. Okello died after a long battle with throat cancer.

“Several legislators in this funeral should tell their colleagues and their assembly leaders that Kenyans are watching."

Raila said while corruption institutions like CID and EACC were at work to unravel the contraband sugar in the country, it was unfortunate that a parliament committee gave suspects a clean bill of health.

He further noted that the

14-member advisory committee

popularly known as the "handshake committee," has identified corruption as its main agenda adding that it will

table its report soon.

“We (Raila and President Uhuru) have been working closely with the 14 people taskforce which will deal with the issue of corruption soon,” Raila said.

The ODM leader said runaway away corruption has been the main problem causing disunity in Kenya.

Raila said

because of the spirit of the handshake, institutions in the country mandated to fight corruption have been “energized and are working well”.

“Corruption will be dealt with as the main agenda of the task force committee, already several institutions dealing with corruption are energized and are working. We have faith in the institutions,” he said.

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EULOGISING BEN

Siaya senator James Orengo and ODM chairman John Mbado led nyanza leaders who spoke to euologise the senator as a wife man.

His family led by his eldest son Willis Okello said their father was the back borne of family, Migori county at large.

“He was always caring, ensured we lived in peace and it is unfortunate that the people of Migori gave him a contract to serve them but could not finish it,” Willis said.

He said the family had planned a homecoming party for the senator and already Raila was invited but it was unfortunate death robbed then of him only days to celebrating a year in office.

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