Leaders term outrageous claims ports secretly sold
Azimio la Umoja leaders have dismissed claims by the Kenya Kwanza Alliance the State had secretly mortgaged Mombasa, Lamu and Kisumu ports to a Dubai-based firm.
The leaders termed the allegations as an outrageous ‘black propaganda’ that cannot be authenticated and accused the Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders of lying to Kenyans.
The Kenya Kwanza leaders led by Musalia Mudavadi on Wednesday claimed President Uhuru Kenyatta and Azimio leader Raila Odinga were privy to the ports deal. He also alleged the deal was signed by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani, claims yet to be substantiated.
“Why would a government with less than five weeks to leave office hurriedly and secretly auction the operations, development, redevelopment and management of our ports to a foreign country?” Mudavadi asked.
Yesterday, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Mombasa governor Hassan Joho and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed claimed the matter was discussed in the cabinet.
They claimed Deputy President William Ruto who is a member of Cabinet approved the deal.
“We have reliable information pointing out that the Deputy President was privy to a cabinet meeting where the issues of the ports were extensively discussed,’’ said Kalonzo.
He spoke as Joho absolved President Uhuru and handshake partner Raila Odinga from the accusations, saying they were clean on the alleged ports deal. Kalonzo and Joho pointed out that since Raila was not in government, there is no way he could have transacted such lump sum business on behalf of the government.
“The allegations by our opponents are a mere attempt to pre-empt their imminent defeat in the upcoming August 9, General Elections,’’ Kalonzo said. The leaders said the port allegations will be addressed as one of the priority projects in the first early days of the Azimio administration.
