- Several opposition MPs are accompanying Ruto on his maiden US state visit, the first for an African head of state in 16 years.
- Despite the fake letter questioning gains of the US trip, Government Spokesman Issac Mwaura said in a statement the trip has afforded Kenya a bag of goodies.
Image: ODM/X
The Orange Democratic Movement has denounced a statement critical of President William Ruto’s US trip terming it fake.
Authors of the statement made a myriad of claims touching on the overall benefit of the trip and the choice of the delegation accompanying the president.
“Just fake,” the Raila Odinga-led party said on X without further explanations.
Several opposition MPs are accompanying Ruto on his maiden US state visit, the first for an African head of state in 16 years.
They include National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, his Senate counterpart Steward Madzayo, Governors Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) and Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) and other opposition leaders.
Their inclusion on the trip has raised eyebrows in political circles considering ODM has previously instituted disciplinary proceedings against ‘rebel’ MPs for working closely with the Kenya Kwanza government.
Five of the MPs moved to court and had a decision to expel them from the party for visiting Ruto at State House reversed.
ODM had ejected Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Phelix Odiwuor (Lang’ata) and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda for what Raila said was a betrayal for visiting the President despite ODM's objection.
Despite the fake letter and questions on the gains or Kenya from the tour, Government Spokesman Issac Mwaura said in a statement on Thursday that the trip has afforded Kenya a bag of goodies.
“President Ruto’s state visit has already borne fruits by benefiting Kenyans with over Sh500 billion worth of grants, equipment and projects including Sh3.2 billion for Kenya Literacy Program for grade 1-3, 16 helicopters to bolster regional peace and security [and] Sh291 million to improve prisons,” Mwaura said.
A fact sheet released by the White House on Wednesday further said the US government has pledged to extend a Sh203 million donation to Kenya to help boost the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
The dispatch said the Biden administration has allocated $500 (Sh65.5m) for a new Fiscal Integrity Program to make county budget processes more transparent and inclusive and increase citizen engagement.
It said a similar amount will go towards the empowerment of civil society actors to broaden the reach and effectiveness of anti-corruption advocacy while another $550 (Sh72m) will go towards supporting Kenya's anti-corruption legal processes including witness protection.
Ruto was on Wednesday treated to a state arrival ceremony at the White House complete with a 21 Gun Salute on day two of his state visit.