Ruto Responds to Use of Ksh46M Taxpayer’s Money on Tea

Deputy President William Ruto (in a navy-blue half coat) during the Njoro event on Monday, June 20, 2022.
Deputy President William Ruto (in a navy-blue half coat) during the Njoro event on Monday, June 20, 2022.
DPPS

Deputy President William Ruto's team has responded to reports that it spent Ksh46 million of taxpayers' money to fund his campaigns.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday, June 22, Ruto's campaign secretariat chairperson and Turkana Governor, Josephat Nanok, refuted claims by Azimio la Umoja that they used taxpayer money to campaign.

He stated that the DP's meetings are financed by members of Kenya Kwanza alliance who willfully contribute to the campaign fund.

File image of former Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok
File image of former Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok
Daily Nation

Further, Nanok dared the Azimio team to provide evidence after the Raila Odinga-led faction threatened to take action against the DP for using public resources in his campaigns.

"We have not seen the letter Azimio wrote and we only got aware of it in the media. The Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate, DP Ruto, has not been using state resources. He has been supported by party members and well-wishers 

"It is their candidate who is being sponsored by the state through state resources. The claims should be directed to them," Nanok stated.

However, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chairman, John Mbadi, who was appearing alongside Nanok, argued that the UDA candidate was using taxpayers' money to campaign, further stating that he had witnessed it himself.

The statement by Ruto's team came after Suna East Member of Parliament, Junet Mohamed, stated that they would take action against the DP if he failed to account for the expenditure.

He argued that it would be unfair for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) not to take action against the DP yet it was the custodian of the election law that bars politicians from using state resources in campaigns.



"Section 107 of the Elections Act states that a member of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, or any person designated by the Commission, shall have the power to impound or to order the impounding of any state resources used in an election campaign.

"The use of state resources confers on the Deputy President undue advantage over his competitors and must be put to a stop immediately," Junet stated.

However, the accusations by the Azimio team have seen the Raila Odinga team come under sharp criticism from a section of Kenya Kwanza leaders who argue that Cabinet Secretaries also use public resources to campaign for the ODM boss.

While addressing a meeting in Kirinyaga county, Mathira Member of Parliament, Rigathi Gachagua, alleged that the Azimio campaigns were being financed by the Covid-19 funds.

Azimio presidentialcandidate Raila Odinga and leaders from the Ukambani Region during a rally in Athi River on Sunday, June 12, 2022
Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga and leaders from the Ukambani Region during a rally in Athi River on Sunday, June 12, 2022.
Raila Odinga