Uhuru Spent Own Money to Cover Ruto's Multibillion Mess - Insider

President Uhuru Kenyatta (in red tie) with his Deputy William Ruto during the 2013 elections campaigns
President Uhuru Kenyatta (in red tie) with his Deputy William Ruto during the 2013 elections campaigns
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Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe has revealed the intrigues behind the multi-billion laptop project which was hailed as a brainchild of Deputy President William Ruto. 

Speaking during an early morning interview on Thursday, January 28, he stated that President Uhuru Kenyatta discreetly revived the project using his own money after the project ran into headwinds

“Instead of castigating the government, Ruto should be creating a scorecard to defend his performance in the government. 

“Children are very unforgiving. How can you promise them laptops and not deliver? It reached a point where the President funded the project using his own resources to revive it. When it comes to the stadiums, Uhuru also had to intervene” Murathe spoke. 

Jubilee Vice Chairperson David Murathe speaking to the press in a past briefing
Jubilee Vice Chairperson David Murathe speaking to the press in a past briefing
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He claimed that the initial budget was misappropriated by the office of the DP, adding that those who won the tender were linked to the deputy president’s office.

In July 2015, Ruto launched a lab at Moi University that was supposed will aid in the production of laptops for schools. 

Ruto would also appear in other public events to address concerns about project which to date is yet to be rolled out to all schools across the country as promised. 

Murathe accused the deputy president of doublespeak, questioning why his team was claiming the developments brought by the government and attributing the failures to Uhuru. 

Speaking on the wrangles in the Jubilee Party, the vice-chair stated that he had asked President Kenyatta for permission to expel Ruto and his allies for associating themselves with the United Development Alliance. 

“The president is very merciful to them, he doesn’t want to expel them from the party. However, we are still going to go forward with the expulsion and leave the final decision to the discretion of the party leader,” Murathe stated. 

The failed laptop project has received renewed media attention after ODM leader Raila Odinga criticised the DP for promising a technology-based economy while offering unemployed youth wheelbarrows. 

Parents had also stated in 2020 that if the laptop project was successful, it would have been used to conduct online classes while schools were closed.  

 

A teacher at Butere Primary School in Kakamega County introduces her pupils to digital tablets on May 3, 2016
A teacher at Butere Primary School in Kakamega County introduces her pupils to digital tablets on May 3, 2016
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