UDA Hits Raila With Hurdles Ahead Of Mass Protests

The United Democratic Alliance party (UDA) on Wednesday, March 8, demanded Azimio leader Raila Odinga to come clean on the alleged Ksh15 billion funds scooped up by some of his allies in the days leading up to the August 9, 2022, general elections.

In a strong statement issued by UDA secretary general Cleophas Malala, the ruling party urged Raila to reveal the location where they took the billions before taking to the streets on Thursday, March 9.

Malala also urged the former prime minister to reveal the hiding place of the country's maize as well as when they would release it, adding that Kenyans were tired of being subjected to their sideshows.

"Azimio led by Raila Odinga have planned protests tomorrow; but before they do so, they must come out clean on where they took the money. They must also show Kenyans where they hid the maize and when they are ready to release it.

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Cleophas Malala and other officials address the media on March 8, 2023. /TWITTER.UDA

"Kenyans are not giving in to the continuous theatrics (kipindi) that are meant to distract them from knowing the truth about the all-time loot that has messed the country," stated Malala in part.

While applauding Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o for uncovering the shocking claims on Tuesday, March 7, Malala boldly accused Raila and his cronies of bleeding out the public coffers while demanding that former President Uhuru Kenyatta's government provide an audit of all the capital projects undertaken during that regime.

"Odinga and his friends are responsible for pilfering public coffers to their dry bone. We demand that the handshake regime account for the monies they stole because they used Ukur Yatani to steal the money to fund Raila's Presidential campaign and brutalize Kenyans who demanded accountability.

"The Kenyan people deserve leaders who are honest and accountable, not those who use their position to enrich themselves at the expense of the people," he added.

UDA also called upon any state officer or office holder that was coerced or intimidated to sign or illegally transact public monies to come out and confess and for Raila and Uhuru to take responsibility for their actions and repay the money they have stolen.

The party also asked Kenyans not to be hoodwinked and used by selfish leaders to advance their parochial egoistic interests, while calling upon the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to commence investigations on former senior government officials.

"We urge the anti-graft agencies to hastily commence investigations in light of the revelations by the Controller of Budget and unearth all the corrupt leaders and their accomplices. We also demand an audit of all the capital projects undertaken by the rogue handshake regime in view of ascertaining whether public funds were expended on private businesses.

"The investigations should also not be limited to pilferage on public funds but the deliberate collapse of institutions, repatriation of looted money stashed on offshore accounts and suspicious tax exemptions by compromised officers at KRA," added the statement.

Malala further demanded that investigations extend to those that misused public facilities, ordered extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances and wanton destruction of livelihoods through a weaponized criminal justice system. 

"All the culpable public officers who were used to steal from Kenyans must face the full force of the law and no amount of maandamano or cajoling will save them from the wrath of wananchi and the independent authorities constitutionally mandated to execute their duties," added the statement.

Raila Odinga at Jeevanjee Gardens on February 22, 2023. /NATION BREAKING