CS Kuria: I am Jaramogi’s ‘son’; he taught me politics
By Sammy WaweruCabinet Secretary for Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management, Moses Kuria, sparked laughter in Siaya County when he claimed to be the son of the late Jaramogi Oginga, the father of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.
He boasted of how Jaramogi nurtured him politically.
“I am Jaramogi’s son and was brought up by Jaramogi. In politics, I was taught by Jaramogi,” CS Kuria claimed amidst laughter.
He made these remarks during a national tree-planting exercise in Siaya on Friday, May 10. The day was set aside by President William Ruto to remember those who died in the floods.
CS Kuria said he had informed Mr Odinga before his visit to Siaya County.
“I called him (Raila) yesterday (Thursday) and informed him that I was going to Siaya. I informed him that if there are dogs, he should authorise them to be locked up because I was visiting,” he said.
But to his surprise, Kuria said Raila told him that he did not need permission to visit Siaya because it was his home.
“He told me that I should not have asked for permission and that I should visit Siaya as I wish,” the CS said.
Mr Kuria boasted that he was the first Cabinet Secretary to establish industries in Siaya County when he was the CS for Commerce.
During his tenure, Kuria spearheaded the establishment of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIP) in various counties across the country.
Siaya was one of the counties where CS Kuria inaugurated the construction of the facility.
The main objective of CAIP is to increase manufacturing and agro-industrial investment and improve the competitiveness of the agricultural sector in a sustainable manner, thereby creating inclusive, decent jobs, enhancing productivity at the farm level, increasing farmers’ incomes, boosting exports, foreign exchange, and overall growth.
The initiative is funded by the National Government in partnership with county governments.
During the 2022 general elections, Mr Kuria, who served as Gatundu South MP, was one of Raila Odinga’s critics.
But the two politicians appear to have buried their differences.
Mr Raila is eyeing the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC) with his bid being supported by President Ruto’s government.
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