CORD MPs to buy 134 Cars for Raila

Government spokesperson Muthui Kariuki must respect ex-PM Raila Odinga, leaders say

Updated Sunday, July 28th 2013 at 23:47 GMT +3

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga

By Evelyn Kwamboka

Kisumu, Kenya: ODM MPs have defended their party leader from attacks by Government spokesperson Muthui Kariuki.

The MPs said it was not a crime for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to be given security and an official car by the State.

They demanded that if Raila was to return the vehicles, the same should apply to former President Mwai Kibaki who worked with the former PM on a 50/50 coalition deal before retiring.

“Raila worked with Kibaki in the coalition government and if the Jubilee government intends to build for him a Sh700 million office, then the same must apply to Raila,” said Suna East MP Muhammed Junet.

He also took issue with Leader of Majority in Parliament Aden Duale, saying he should learn to respect those who introduced him to politics.

Campaign period

Rangwe MP George Oner said those in the Jubileegovernment should know that they are not in office to ‘reduce Raila to size’ but to serve the nation.

He told Muthui to concentrate on ensuring Jubileehonours promises made to Kenyans during the campaign period instead of looking for a scapegoat.

“Muthui should know that CORD MPs are 134 and you can take back your six vehicles and we will buy 134 for the former PM, have your security and each of us will pay for his security, take your sirens and we will buy 134 for him,” he said.

Muthui had alleged that Raila refused to return six government vehicles that were at his service when serving as a PM. He also claimed that Raila had mounted an illegal siren on one of his vehicles to help him maneuver through traffic.