Over three hours ago, the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) released a statement touching on the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) scandal.
It was just touching on the scandal, not condemning it. Most of it was an attack on DP William Ruto.
The statement starts by rightfully talking about the scandal and KEMSA but then denegenerates into a fistfight with Ruto over a statement he made about being ‘out of government’, therefore cannot be blamed in the new scandal.
???? at least for once it won't be possible to be blamed for what someone said "started in Wuhan as a virus, landed in Italy as a pandemic and now in Kenya as a multi-billion shilling corruption enterprise". Wacha niendelee kama spectator. ISORAIT. pic.twitter.com/d1IMef1s7t
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) August 20, 2020
ODM STATEMENT ON CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS AT KEMSA
In the past few days, there have been serious allegations levelled against the procurement and handling of Covid-19 protective gear by the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA).
Suffice it to say that all Kenyans of goodwill have found these allegations disturbing and thoroughly demoralising, at a time when we are losing more fives to the virus.
We have restrained from responding to these allegations because of our desire to comment from an informed position.
We gather that the DCI has been called into KEMSA to investigate these matters. We however wonder how this can be so, before a credible audit by the Auditor General is carried out to ascertain the veracity of these claims. Precedent has been set before, where the media goes on a sensationalist extravaganza, with half baked information obtained from shadowy sources, ending up creating more problems than solutions.
It is important to note that as far as the prices of PPEs go, conventional wisdom must hold that such prices were lower before Covid-19 ravaged the whole world, and any procurement happening in the current has to come with higher values. Higher prices alone cannot therefore be a basis for doubting the probity of those who undertake these tasks.
It is disheartening to hear no less a senior government official than the Deputy President go public with the juvenile and improper statement that at least now nobody will blame me for stealing Covid-19 funds”. This statements suggests that it is ok for the funds to be stolen if he is not to blame, or even more unsettling, it expresses the jealousy of being left out of the gravy train. We have pointed out before that the DP’s recalcitrance and lack of political emotional intelligence are a hindrance to the smooth running of government.
At a time when he should help the President crack the whip on corruption cartels within government, he holds campaigns at his residence while cheering wrong doing within government, in the mistaken belief that any perceived failures by H.E. the President will raise his (DP’s) dwindling profile. We must ask the DP to either rise to the occasion and play the role of DP, or ship out and let the President work in peace.
We will keep raising any concerns we have with government operations, specifically Covid-19 related issues, through the proper channels, without unnecessary drama and hubris. We continue to fulfill our mandate as espoused in the ODM Manifesto, while remaining cognisant of our role as a unifying agent in Kenyan politics.
We will therefore not join the condemnation bandwagon, but will keep probing and defending the right of Kenyans to get government services efficiently and at the right process. For that reason, we ask that media houses and other news agencies exercise responsibility in their coverage, because sensational and baseless reports may compromise international support for our Covid-19 war, endangering ordinary Kenyans and not just the leaders.
Any information of wrongdoing must be passed to the rightful agencies for clear action.
I thank you.
Hon. Edwin Sifuna Secretary General
Kenyans expressed mixed feelings about the statement.
Comments
How is the DP coming into this for real, since ODM abdicated its role of checking the government through the handshake, let media inform Kenyans of the under hand dealings of this government that the sec gen is portraying as clean.
— edwin gute (@hgutteh) August 22, 2020
JUVENILE and PITIFUL…i refused over the years to change on my views on odm and its LEADERSHIP and history always vindicates me…the party has become a DISGRACEFUL APOLOGIST of my BELOVED JUBILEE…@JunetMohamed @DavidNdii @Wakabando @makaumutua @MarthaKarua @AbdikadirMohami pic.twitter.com/UXY2r5cVFW
— Ahmednasir Abdullahi SC (@ahmednasirlaw) August 22, 2020
This statement by ODM Party suggest that they are part of the scandal and that they have benefited therefore anyone calling for accountability is jealous of being left out in the looting. ODM has lost direction as a party!. This attack on DP looks more of a witch hunt.
— Wicky Lumwachi (@wlumwachi) August 22, 2020
You should have sent this to DP Ruto and the heading should be "REQUEST FOR YOUR RESIGNATION AS DEPUTY PRESIDENT". This is just hogwash.
— BRAVIN YURI (@BravinYuri) August 22, 2020
@edwinsifuna uli shindwa na kwenu na uka limwa Nairobi na Msabaot, what makes you think unaweza andikia Ruto anything in whichever given capacity? Kesho raila aki amka aamue oburu ndio SG ni hivo. You have nothing! Get elected kwanza then come criticize. Saitan!
— . (@obosto) August 22, 2020
I totally disagree with sifuna on this matter,……..dragging dp's name on this major scandal shows that he has something he is trying to hide that can help the DCI/EACC to bring the culprit's on book.
— hillary (@hillarykiplaa5) August 22, 2020
One mourns louder than the berieved if he had a hand in the death or interest in being served larger portion of food.
ODM, this isn't what we voted for pic.twitter.com/nacvj4bHt8
— SᗯᗩᕼIᒪI~ᑭᑌᑎᗪIT (@YussufMwinyi) August 22, 2020
After the planted newspaper headlines, ODM’s message to Ruto is, “agree with Uhuru and his looters or resign.”
See how low we have sunk. Even my favorite political party is behaving this way.
Omiyo I am looking for a political party. pic.twitter.com/ZPxGgr5akp
— Robert Alai (@RobertAlai) August 22, 2020
ODM is Officially a puppet and Jubilee is the puppeteer. This is a party that had values but now, it's just a circus. They should have just shut the hell up and not commented at all. I am inclined to believe some people in ODM definitely benefitted from this Scandal. ??
— BRAVIN YURI (@BravinYuri) August 22, 2020
ODM PARTY should let the DCI carry out investigations as directed. The Auditor General can come in once the thieves are behind bars. Besides, this statement is poorly written, can they invest in a qualified media practioner to write press statements…. #CleaningUpMOH pic.twitter.com/j4uAaDp60Z
— KENNETH (@IkeOjuok) August 22, 2020
