Azimio Orders MPs To Block Ruto's CSs With Court Cases

Azimio la Umoja's leadership have directed their Members of Parliament to withdraw the approval of Cabinet Secretaries (CS) who were nominated by President William Ruto and have pending legal cases.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, September 30, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka revealed that the nomination was not done procedurally and that it had ignored competencies as well as personal integrity.

Kalonzo further asked the MPs to withdraw the names of the nominees with questionable characters.

"Nomination was not procedurally done, on the basis of competencies and personal integrity and we shall direct our MPs to withhold approval of those who do not meet the Chapter Six threshold of our Constitution," he said.

Some of the nominees include former Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa who was nominated as CS for Public Service. In 2019, Jumwa was charged with murder over the death of Gumbao Jola in Ganda, Malindi Constituency. 

Another is former Meru Senator and the nominee for the Agriculture docket, Mithika Linturi, was also arraigned in court, in February 2022 over remarks bordering on hate speech. 

Ruto and Cost of Living

He also faulted Ruto for failing to appoint 50 per cent of women to his Cabinet as he promised during his campaigns.

"On 27th September, the Ruto administration availed their choices of cabinet secretaries, of the total number only 7 women were named contrary to the campaign promise of a 50-50 cabinet," he added.

Kalonzo, who was flanked by Azimio politicians, said that the first campaign promise by the Ruto administration was to the lowering of the cost of living, but from day one, all costs associated with basic living have gone up.

The price of unga and the cost of electricity, he added are beyond the ordinary mwananchi’s reach.

Inquest Into Purchase Of Subsidised Fertilisers

On the matter of the purchase of subsidized fertiliser by President William Ruto, Kalonzo directed Azimio MPs to open an inquiry into the procurement process which he believed was marred by a lot of secrecy which needed to be uncovered.

"These are matters we feel should take pre-eminence in these early days. Just like there was the rush to subsidize fertilizer on September 19, the same urgency should have first and foremost been applied to the rapidly rising cost of living. We also question how this fertilizer was procured; when it was procured; and, where it was sourced from.

"We ask: does it meet the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) standards? This administration must therefore make public the procurement process of this fertilizer subsidy. We have directed our MPs to commence an enquiry into the same," he said.

On Ruto's Directive To Cut Uhuru's Budget By Ksh300 Billion

Kalonzo also termed Ruto's directive to the National Treasury to deduct Ksh300 billion from the budget, specifically reducing expenditure on unnecessary items that were budgeted for, as an ambitious move.

He also termed the initiative by Ruto's administration to utilise savings for development instead of borrowing as another lie.

"To realise the Kshs300 billion from this year's budget is extremely ambitious. We wish to propose austerity measures such as the restructuring of the national debt and recovering public funds looted from 2013 to date," he read.

On Reforming IEBC After Loss In 2022 Elections

Kalonzo also reiterated Raila Odinga's call to reform the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), despite the fact that it was the will of the people that majorly contributed to Ruto's win over the Azimio coalition. 

"On the back of this heavily contested election, the deficiencies that exist within the judicial and electoral systems need to be immediately addressed. We must reform IEBC to guarantee free, fair and credible elections in the future.

"With regards to the Judiciary, there can never be justice if our judicial system can be adversely influenced to subvert the rule of law and the cause of justice," he stated.