The Director of Communication in the office of the Deputy President(DP) Emmanuel Talam has for the first time reacted to the much-criticised visits of Kibra people to William Ruto’s official residence in Karen.
Taking to social media, the former KTN Deputy Managing Editor insinuated that the visit was part of the DP’s strategy of improving the lives of the Kibra people.
In a message directed to those criticizing the visits, Talam wondered whether it was wrong for Ruto to host his neighbours.
“I didn’t know it was a crime for DP Ruto to host his neighbours from Kibra at his posh residence in Karen,” tweeted Talam.
In all appearance, the Director sarcastically tendered an apology to those who felt offended over DP’s kind gesture.
“Our sincere apology to the residents of Karen who are offended by the “noise” of DP Ruto’s Kibera neighbours visiting his residence in Karen.
One day they will live in Karen and won’t make noise…Suffering is just for a time,” added the Director.
The move comes amidst a series of scathing attacks launched towards Ruto and te Jubilee party candidate in the Kibra by-election McDonald Mariga.
The two have been accused of voter bribery as campaigns for the Kibra race intensifies.
On Tuesday, ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi slammed the DP for hosting people in his official residence saying he was out of order adding that the Karen home was not his property.
Barely three days ago, City Lawyer Donald Kipkorir also urged the IEBC and DCI to monitor the Kibra by-election over the election malpractice.
“IEBC & DCI need to monitor Kibra By-Elections closely. Elections Offences Of bribes, intimidation, threats & undue influence are in open display.
IEBC & DCI need to monitor Kibra By-Elections closely …. Elections Offences Of bribes, intimidation, threats & undue influence are in open display ….. Corruption that is systemic & pervasive in Kenya is nurtured during elections … We must end political corruption.
— Donald B Kipkorir (@DonaldBKipkorir) October 4, 2019
The corruption that is systemic & pervasive in Kenya is nurtured during elections … We must end political corruption,” he said.
On Friday, the DP hosted a delegation of grassroots leaders from Kibra constituency to drum up support for Mariga at his Karen Residence, Nairobi.
Social media reports indicated that the meeting, apart from seeking the support of the attendees, aimed at bribing the Kibra residents.
One verified Twitter user, Lord Abraham Mutai, claimed that Kibra voters have been storming the DP’s residence to collect irregular daily payments linked to the Kibra race.
“Someone just sent me this photo taken outside William Ruto’s gate this morning. Kibra voters leaving DP’s Karen home after probably collecting daily payments. William Ruto is really corrupting our electoral system,” claimed Mutai.
According to sources who spoke to this writer on condition of anonymity, on various visits that they had made to the DP’s residence, they claimed each walked away with at least Ksh500.
Important to note, that the monies pocketed by the delegates were not verified as bribery or the usual ‘political token of appreciation.’
All these have emerged as mere allegations which haven’t been substantiated so far by the relevant bodies.