The DCI is still investigating the alleged loss of Sh21 billion in the construction of the Arror and Kimwarer dams in Elgeyo Marakwet county. Former Gatanga Mp David Murathe who resigned as Jubilee Party vice chairman has been up in arms over the dams scandal, and he has openly campaigned against Ruto’s presidential ambitions. “I am ready to respond to any allegation against my character or anything I engage in. But the decision of the Jubilee candidate is not a personal decision but that of a political party called Jubilee,” he said.
Murathe has also accused Ruto of rigging out many popular Jubilee aspirants during the 2017 nominations. He has alleged Ruto’s presidency would make a large swathe of Kenyans panic because they are scared of his past. As Murathe was preparing his case, Ruto was busy attacking ODM leader Raila Odinga whom he described as the “ugly face of impunity [and] a known political fraud whose word means nothing”.
He said Raila is a notorious propagandist and an incorrigible liar who can’t even remember the last lie he told. The DP said the war on corruption will only be won if it’s fought using the correct tools. He said Raila has neither the legitimacy nor the integrity to lecture anyone on matters of corruption or integrity.
“Yes, I have an interest in the construction of the dams, a major interest because with [President] Uhuru Kenyatta we put 57 dams to be constructed over the next five years,” Ruto said. He went on, “As the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, I would be reckless and would have failed in my job if I didn’t follow the numbers,” Ruto said.
Speaking at the same summit on Wednesday, Raila questioned how the DP knew that only Sh7 billion was reportedly lost in the project and not Sh21 billion as reported. He said the DP had no reason to be defensive if he knew he had nothing to do with the alleged disappearance of the funds. Raila said those rushing to defend corruption were scuttling the ongoing war on corruption
While clarifying that he has absolutely no problem with the former PM, Ruto said the biggest threat to the war on corruption is rumour mongering, propagandists and peddlers of half-truths. “In the last election, you said your competitor stole the Eurobond. Now you are accusing the person you perceive as your future competitor of stealing money from dams, but when you are asked for evidence you say it was the Pope who called you and told you about the theft,” Ruto said.