Opposition leader Raila Odinga has called on the government to release funds set aside for El Nino rains as floods wreak havoc in different parts of the country.
Raila chided the government led by President William Ruto for what he termed as failing to help in mitigating the flood's effects.
“What we have seen in a charade by the government. Top officials led by the Deputy President have chosen to exchange words with governors instead of helping Kenyans,” Raila said.
He said it was unfortunate that when he talks about El Nino funds being stolen he is being told to go back home and retire from politics, similar remarks given to former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Earlier, the national government had said they released Sh10 billion El Nino funds to counties, claims which the Council of Governors has refuted.
“Ruto has failed in running government and has chosen to attack those who are not with him in government like Raila and Kenyatta, but we will continue to talk,” Raila said.
He was speaking in Kombe village in Kuria West constituency during the burial of former Masaba MCA Abedi Maroa and the former ODM constituency candidate in the last polls.
Raila said Ruto has failed to control the runaway inflation in the country and is looking for a leeway to shift the blame on others.
The burial was also attended by area MP Mathias Robi, Migori governor Ochillo Ayacko, Migori senator Eddy Oketch, Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohammed, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Suna West MP Peter Masara, Awendo MP Walter Owino, and Nyatike MP Tom Odege.
“We want to tell the president that we are still grappling with the high cost of living and runaway unemployment. We respect Raila and we hope he will turn the situation around,” Ayacko said.
Junet said it was funny that Ruto had promised to tackle the high cost of living and runaway corruption in the country once he put the bible down after being sworn in as president.
“It seems like Kenyans are still waiting for him to put the bible down or we should use a special stool to pick the bible which he seems is still up in the air,” Junet said.
Masara, Owino, Odege, Fatuma, and Oketch said as leaders in the area, they are firmly behind Odinga and will seek the next political direction.
But Robi, who was elected on the UDA ticket called on Raila to steadily work on his opposition role instead of waiting for the ongoing bi-partisan talks to join the government.
“Raila is best placed as an opposition so that he can put the government in check. I wish to tell him to hold his role steadily as we want to face him in the next general elections,” Robi said.
He said there is a big risk that if Raila joins the government, he might wreak it from within.
