Kabando: Ruto will not fight corruption

By Peter Ochieng

Former Mukurweini Member of Parliament (MP) Kabando Wa Kabando has stated his reservations over president William Ruto's willingness and ability to fight corruption.

Since assuming office a year ago, Ruto's statements have been laced with pronouncements on the fight against graft, but some observers hold the opinion that nothing tangible is taking place.

One of them is Kabando, who says the president is unlikely to turn pronouncements against corruption into action.

He is urging Kenyans to continue 'making noise' until something is done as far as slaying the corruption dragon is concerned.

"It's unexpected that Ruto will ever fight corruption. And, he'll easily find accomplices in some who purport to oppose him. To slay the dragon of graft & impunity, the voices of individual citizens should rise each day. In Wangari Maathai's adage, let's all be little humming bird," he wrote on X.

"Of immediate and critical public concern are the issues tormenting citizens - basics of unaffordable education, inaccessible healthcare, escalating insecurity, rampant unemployment. Acting as the proverbial Ostrich by burying our heads in the sand is dangerous, counterproductive," he added.

The former legislature once again criticised the bipartisan talks going on at the Bomas of Kenya, insisting that they will not solve economic challenges being faced by most Kenyans.

"Kenya problem is corruption propelled by political deception. Raila and Ruto hand-picked bipartisan Bomas talks can't be national dialogue. It's unconstitutional for parliament to give Bomas siasa parley public money without any legislation. Bomas is scene of deception, impunity," he added.

The bipartisan talks are led by Kalonzo Musyoka and Kimani Ichung'wah, from the Raila Odinga and William Ruto led Azimio and Kenya Kwanza camps respectively.

The talks committee has allegedly been allocated Sh106 million, majority of it being earmarked for payment of allowances.

However, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot who is a member of the committee has denied the claims.