QUESTIONS ORDERS

Kalonzo hits out at Ruto on party allegiance

Terms the directive as dictatorial, says MPs should be allowed to speak up on issues and challenges facing the country

In Summary
  • Kalonzo expressed his concern over the skewed recruitment of members of the defence forces with few tribes benefitting.
  • He termed it a recipe for chaos in the coming years and pointed to Democratic Republic of Congo where the country was in turmoil due to poor recruitment decisions.
Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) party leader Kalonzo Musyoka with members of the Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS) during a retreat in Naivasha.
Kalonzo Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) party leader Kalonzo Musyoka with members of the Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS) during a retreat in Naivasha.
Image: George Murage

Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka has questioned the orders by President William Ruto directing Kenya Kwanza MPs to blindly support all governments projects.

He termed the directive as dictatorial, adding that legislators who are the voice of the suffering Kenyans should speak up on issues and challenges facing the country.

On Monday, Ruto directed legislators allied to the Kenya Kwanza government to toe the line and support all government agendas including the controversial affordable housing bill.

A group of MPs recently joined the opposition in demanding for the release of NG-CDF cash, a point that did augur well with the Executive.

Kalonzo however took issue with the President's directive noting that leaders should be given a chance to air their grievances at a time that Kenyans were suffering.

“The President has directed legislators from the Kenya Kwanza side to toe the line or face consequences and at this time and age, this borders on dictatorial powers,” he said.

Kalonzo was speaking in Lake Naivasha Resort during the Institute of Certified Secretaries forum that has brought together members of the County Public Service Boards.

Incidentally, the President is in the same hotel for the third day of the Cabinet meeting.

Addressing members of the board, Kalonzo expressed his concern over the skewed recruitment of members of the defence forces with few tribes benefitting.

He termed it a recipe for chaos in the coming years and pointed to Democratic Republic of Congo where the country was in turmoil due to poor recruitment decisions.

“The recruitment of the defence forces is openly skewed towards some few tribes and this is a major mistake that the government is making,” he said.

Kalonozo said a recent study showed that 10 tribes in the country had taken over 80 per cent job opportunities.

“The situation has been made worse by falsified academic documents where recent reports indicated that 1,280 workers had fake education certificates,” he said.

Kalonzo, who is Azimio La Umoja co-principal, called on members of the  service boards to rise above politics and hire workers based on merit.

He warned the country to be ready for all manner of workers following the move by the President to make the country Visa-free.

 ICS chairman Joshua Wambua said they are keen to address the issue of good governance with members of the service boards.

 

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