Wiper leaders condemn attack on Orengo, ‘unfair’ distribution of jobs

Wiper Democratic Front leaders have condemned the unfair distribution of resources, jobs and national development projects and threatened to push the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to take up the matter.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, while addressing a Salvation Army congregation at the Kangundo Divisional grounds on Sunday, demanded accountability on the use of national resources.

Mr Musyoka reiterated his earlier push on the government to publicise the tally of Kenyans who have recently got jobs in the defence forces and police service, alleging that the ethnic distribution was skewed towards one tribe. 

He challenged President William Ruto to take responsibility for corruption and the rise of violence against leaders by state and non-state actors.

“Kenya is, and will remain, a democratic nation, which is why it matters so much when police turn excessive force on citizens. That responsibility does not stop at the officer on the ground; it rests with those who lead the country. It is in that spirit that I condemn yesterday's attack on Siaya Governor James Orengo. Teargassing a sitting Governor and torching his car, barely two days after the Ruto regime promised to uphold the Constitution, tells you exactly how much that promise was worth,” Mr Musyoka said.

The Siaya governor was attacked by armed people, and his car was set ablaze while touring Migori County on August 29.

The Wiper leader further condemned what he termed a pattern of misgovernance, citing the tendering of the newest police uniform, the “hawking” teachers' jobs, the grabbing of 4,000 acres in Taita Taveta, “and now grave concerns over how our security forces are being recruited.”

“Each one on its own would be troubling; together, they describe a country drifting off course,” he said. “Kenya needs transparent leadership and Kenyans want to know how the tendering of the police uniform was done:  How many bidders were there? Who was the lowest bidder? The Inspector-General of Police has said it’s a company in Nakuru but Kenyans know the truth.”

Matungulu MP Mutinda Mule said the mandate to employ teachers belongs to the Teachers Service Commission.

He said many jobs were being dished out “through the back door” and threatened to push the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, through parliament, to investigate the teachers' jobs scandal.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula recently opened a Pandora’s box when he announced that he had taken many MPs to State House to receive employment letters from President Ruto for teachers in their constituencies, only to sell them at Sh400,000 each.

Mr Mule and his Kathiani counterpart Robert Mbui said they had never been offered any letters and condemned the “skewed” distribution of jobs in the country.

“President Ruto, we give you a seven-day ultimatum to give us the numbers of the people employed through the back door or we push the NCIC to investigate the matter and out those who have violated the constitution,” Mr Mule said. 

The leaders later addressed a political rally at the Tala matatu stage.