Saturday, November 6, 2010

PM Odinga defends allies on graft claims

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Friday defended ODM ministers mentioned in corruption cases, saying it did not mean they were guilty.

He, however, said those found guilty would face the law and likened the current accusations and counter accusations to incidents in the streets where thieves who were being chased turn around and accuse their pursuers.
The PM said it was wrong for Water minister Charity Ngilu’s accusers to expect Ukambani to get the same water allocations like Kiambu, Kericho, Kisii and Kakamega where there’s plenty of rain.
But the party, he said, would fully support the war against corruption, economic crimes and impunity.
Mr Odinga was speaking during the party’s Parliamentary Group cum-National Executive Council meeting at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha.
The PM also told his political rivals to prepare for a fierce political battle come 2012.
Mr Odinga, who is the ODM leader, said the outfit was still strong even in Rift Valley and it was gaining root in Central Province. “ODM is still the party to beat in 2012,” he asserted.
All Kalenjin MPs allied to ODM’s deputy co-leader William Ruto, currently in the Netherlands to meet ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, did not attend. The MPs have said they will be ditching ODM.
The PM, however, said Mr Ruto was still ODM’s member as he had not written to the party to quit.
He said his recent meetings in Kipkelion, Kericho and Nandi, perceived as Mr Ruto’s strongholds, showed that ODM was popular there.
Kalenjin MPs at the meeting included Prof Margaret Kamar, Ms Joyce Laboso, Mr Musa Sirma, Mrs Beatrice Kones, Mr Julius Murgor and Mr Henry Kosgey.
Mr Odinga announced that the party would hold its grassroots elections in December and national polls early next year.
The PM said the grand coalition government had performed well in last two and half years, but unemployment, poverty reduction and equity were its major failures.
Its major achievements include delivering a new constitution. The retreat is co-sponsored by the National Democratic Institute.

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