Former UDA national vice chairperson Seth Panyako has alleged that President William Ruto is surrounded by cartels.
Speaking during an interview with Spice FM on Wednesday, Panyako said the cartels are six people who come from one ethnic community and they are the ones pulling strings in government.
"These six people want to manage each and everything, even when a cleaner is being employed, they want to know where they have come from, they want to have a hand on everything," he said.
He alleged that when the LapFund chief executive officer resigned, as a member of the board they appointed one but the cartels intervened.
"The chairperson of our board received threats, I was there when he got the calls and we had to reverse our decision on appointing the CEO," he said.
On May 14, Panyako criticised Ruto over "betraying" Kenyans barely eight months after assuming the top office.
He said Ruto should reconsider his policies, urging him to stay true to the promises he made to the nation during the campaign period.
"We promised Kenyans that we shall lower the cost of doing business, we shall lower the eight per cent VAT on petroleum; today the VAT has been increased while the VAT for helicopters has been removed, how many Kenyans own helicopters?" he asked.
Panyako on Saturday ditched the UDA party citing his stand against the housing levy proposed by the Kenya Kwanza government and the prevailing high cost of living.
He made the announcement at the funeral of former politician Joseph Hamisi in Kakamega.
He said he had informed President Ruto about the decision on Friday.
"Yesterday I spoke to the President and it was decided that my stand to object to the housing levy and the cost of living did not allow me to continue in the leadership of the UDA party," he said.
