Raila Odinga Questions Sh28 Billion Loan United Arabs Emirates (UAE) Gave Kenya

Opposition chief Raila Odinga has questioned a Sh28 Billion loan from the United Arabs Emirates (UAE), indicating it was a bribe to ensure President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration offers the aviation hub a contract to manage the second container terminal in Mombasa.

Mr Odinga asked the Jubilee Government to give more details on the loan noting that the funds were given on condition that the UAE government would undertake the expansion and management of the facility.

“This loan looks more like a bribe to senior persons in government than a loan. This so called loan leaves more questions than answers and we want specific answers from none other than President Uhuru Kenyatta,” stated Mr Odinga on Sunday.

According to the former Prime Minister, the government of UAE paid the bribe in form of a loan through Dubai Port World, to manage the terminal.

Raila pointed out that UAE was defeated by 12 other international port operators.

“Can President Uhuru Kenyatta prove to Kenyans that the so-called loan was not a bribe to sway the contract in favour of Dubai? Can he explain how he ended up giving the job to Dubai instead of the more than ten firms that came top? What was the purpose of the tender when the job ended up being given to a defeated bidder,” asked Raila.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader claimed that a Chinese consortium - PSA International - which had partnered with a local group, Multiple Hauliers, won the tender.

The government signed a bilateral agreement with the UAE in October last year, where the latter agreed to lend the country Sh28 Billion.

The money was to be used in enhancing efficiency of the second container terminal, as well as the development of Kipevu oil terminal.

If Raila's claims are anything to go by, this could be a mega-scandal hitting President Kenyatta's government less that five months to the General Election.