Political allies of Deputy President William Ruto have dared President to move the new currency deadline up, insisting that they have nothing to hide.
This comes amid the rolling out of the new currency notes that are said to crack the whip on corrupt fellows, who will now be forced to surrender their stashed monies to the Central Bank of Kenya before the October deadline.
The politicians, among them besieged Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu who has been questioned by the EACC over graft, spoke at a church service in Kahawa Wendani, Nairobi.
“I want to tell you, Mr Deputy President, when you go back tell him (President Uhuru Kenyatta ) that October is too far off. We want this matter concluded in a month or two weeks so we can end some propaganda and continue working,” Nyali MP Mohamed Ali said.
We do not have hidden cash – DP Ruto allies welcome government's move to recall all currency notes. pic.twitter.com/sjPATsl0PD
— Daily Nation (@dailynation) June 3, 2019
“Some people have been saying that Ndindi Nyoro has stashed a lot of money in sacks in his house. I want this period [before new bills are introduced] to be reduced to even two days so that people can know that Ndindi has no money in sacks and thieves will be revealed openly,” Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro said.
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa, who also chairs the Budget and Appropriations Committee, pushed for a review of the four-months window.
“The Central Bank governor said we have four months up to October. In my opinion, that is too far away. Kenya’s financial year starts on July 1 so if it is possible, the president should make that the deadline for the validity of Sh1,000 notes,” he said.
Cash transactions following the new currency are set to rapidly unfold.
The country could witness massive investments in properties being bought in cash as money hoarders rush to beat the deadline.
“We are going to see a lot of people buying multi-billion shilling properties in cash just to try and clean the money,” Kiambu MP Judy Njomo said.
The real estate sector especially would provide a loophole for the billionaires to launder their money.