Why Uhuru’s ‘expert thieves’ remark was correct
Many may have begrudged President Uhuru Kenyatta for his recent remarks that the country is full of “expert thieves and nags”, but in the past week Kenya’s top politicians have only justified the tag.
President Kenyatta made the curious remark while on an official trip to Israel last week, a speech that later hogged international headlines and widespread discussion.
But even before the president returned home, Kenyan politicians were back at it, doing what they do best – exchanging endless verbal abuses.
The Leader of Majority in Parliament, Mr Aden Duale, stayed true to character by leading this chorus of rhetoric from the front. While addressing a press conference in Nairobi, Mr Duale described former Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru as a “small person, and psychiatric case that belongs to Kamiti Maximum Prison.
Mr Duale was apparently responding to Ms Waiguru’s claims in a sworn affidavit linking him to stolen funds at the Ministry of Devolution.
At around the same time, Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto couldn’t also resist a dig at Duale. While addressing a mammoth crowd in his home town, Mr Ruto asked Mr Duale to return the funds he is accused of stealing because “hiyo pesa sio ya mama yake” (the money doesn’t belong to his mother).
This jibe was obviously a retaliation as Duale is the credited with the infamous remark.
THIEVES AND DRUG DEALERS
Not to be left behind, Deputy President William Ruto, while on a campaign trail of Kericho on Saturday, also described as “foolish” members of the Kalenjin community with Presidential ambition.
“We are working hard to be part of the next Government but some foolish leaders want to scuttle my bid to become President,” Mr Ruto was quoted by the media.
A senior member of President Kenyatta’s media team Munyori Buku also too cue and termed Cord leader Raila Odinga as someone with a short memory “like that of a warthog,”
Buku was responding to Raila’s demands that Jubilee leaders implicated in graft claims should step aside. His argument thus, was, Raila should extend his suggestions to the several opposition leaders also implicated in graft.
Buku’s comments were echoed by Duale, who on Sunday posted a message on Facebook disparaging Raila.
“If Raila who has scandalized himself severally & who hobnobs with thieves & drug dealers has never resigned then I cannot do so,” Duale wrote.
In yet another curious incident, Emurua Dikir MP, Jonathan Ng’eno, confessed to the Daily Nation that he had slapped Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen in “self defence”. According to Ng’eno, the pair reportedly went physical at the Wilson Airport after exchanging “some harsh words.”
