Raila Clarifies Ruto's Role in Securing AU Job

AU Special Envoy for Infrastructure Raila Odinga has responded to reports that Deputy President William Ruto played a role in helping him secure the job. 

Odinga, through his spokesperson Dennis Onyango stated that Ruto had no part to play in the negotiations. 

“We don't know what Ruto is a party to and what he is not. If he had his way, he would be a party to everything and anything,” Onyango told the Nation.

“What we know and I believe all Kenyans know is that Ruto can never be a party to anything that uplifts Raila Odinga. If he was a party to those talks, he must have joined to stop it but failed,” he added. 

On Sunday, Ruto had told the former PM to focus on his job instead of involving himself in the gold scandal that has now captured the interest of many Kenyans.

"When we negotiated for him the AU position, it didn't include prospecting for minerals or merchandise of any nature. All his job description involves is Africa’s basic structure,” Ruto told the congregation during a church service in Naivasha. 

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wa who had also accompanied the DP, stated: "You were given a job to promote infrastructure in Africa, your work is not looking for gold or constructing roads using gold."

Raila claimed that he was with the victims who were conned when they were contacted by the fraudsters. 

"So I told the Arabs to tell them to put Matiang'i on the phone. When he came on he said, 'This is Matiangi, I confirm we have your consignment and if you comply to our conditions, we will transfer your consignment to Wajir Airport where you can go and pick it up',” Odinga cited.

“It is at this point, that I interjected and told the Arabs that they are being duped and that those are notorious conmen," he continued. 

"If you are indeed a whistleblower, tell us the conmen you went to Dubai with. How many statements have you recorded with the DCI? You are as guilty as the fraudsters who you travelled with," the legislator added.