Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula has found himself in hot soup on twitter. It all started when the outspoken politician asked those demolishing illegal structures on riparian land to visit cities like London, Moscow, New York, Bangkok, Cairo and Perth. These famous cities are apparently build on river banks.
Those demolishing riverbank properties should visit London, Moscow, New York, Bangkok, Cairo, Perth etc. They will rethink their inanity.
— Sen.Moses Wetang’ula (@Wetangulam) August 15, 2018
But it seems this post didn’t go down well with Kenyans who were quick to remind the ousted senate minority leader that those cities do not flood.
The issue isn’t the demolition, per se, but the fact that the structures were illegally put up. That’s a major reason they need to come down. I’m sure those cities you are advocating for don’t allow private structures on restricted land. I hope you get the point…
— John Ogola (@jjogola) August 15, 2018
It seems Wetangula does not understand the reason why the buildings are being demolished. ‘I’m sure those cities you are advocating for don’t allow for private structures on restricted land.’ John Ogola was kind to offer the senator a lesson.
Another Kenyan, wondered how a man who studied law could lack such basic knowledge on illegal structures.
BTW
WETA studied LAW
smh— CHRIS MASITTA, HSC (@CCmasitta) August 15, 2018
But someone reminded us that, it could be that common sense is not taught in law school.
Sadly, common sense isn’t taught in law school…
— John Ogola (@jjogola) August 15, 2018
Things turned for the worse when, someone decided to compare Wetangula with Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu who recently asked the government to divert rivers rather than demolishing multi-million projects.
“Some of the things I am witnessing there (in Nairobi), I am not supporting [them]. If your house is near a river, you should be told to move that river away from the building at [your] own cost. Demolishing houses is not a solution. Honestly speaking, it’s such a big loss,” Mr Waititu said.
Do u see any different between u and waititu as long as education is concerned??
— The Mnur feruz (@Fmnur) August 15, 2018
And another one decided to remind Wetangula of the Tokyo land scandal where the government lost more than 16 billion shillings through his ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The scandal resulted in the Kenyan Minister for Foreign Affairs Moses Wetangula leaving his post. Wetangula left his ministerial post on October 27, 2010 due to ongoing investigation on his alleged involvement in the Kenyan Tokyo embassy scandal.
Tokyo land
— The Mnur feruz (@Fmnur) August 15, 2018
It was alleged that instead of accepting free property from the government of Japan for the embassy, 1.6 billion shillings was withheld from the sale of Kenyan property in Nigeria and used to buy a less suitable property.
George Saitoti served as acting foreign minister during Wetangula’s absence. Wetangula returned to the ministry in August 2011, though he permanently left the position a few months later.