Raila Reveals Why He Sacked William Ruto from Grand Coalition Government

National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga has refuted claims by President Uhuru Kenyatta that he was to be blamed for the maize shortage that was experienced during the grand coalition government where he was the Prime Minister.

Speaking in Rarieda Constituency on Sunday, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader dismissed the head of state’s claims, instead passing the blame to Deputy President William Ruto, who headed the Ministry of Agriculture.

Odinga said that instead, he dealt with the situation by first sacking William Ruto the then Minister for Agriculture, over the maize scandal.

“I sacked Ruto for messing up with the maize issue,” pointed out Odinga, adding that former President Mwai Kibaki reversed his decision by reinstating Ruto.

Odinga queried the manner in which the Jubilee government transacted the imported maize into the country, vowing to name those behind the importation. “The maize which arrived in Kenya on May 12 was acquired in a fishy deal that puzzles the public,” said Odinga.

During the Labor Party of Kenya delegates' convention on Friday, President Uhuru accused Odinga of contributing to the high prices of maize flour when he was Prime Minister during the coalition government, adding that he did not have any moral authority to question the government’s move to subsidize the maize flour.

Odinga was speaking during the burial of Gladys Onono, the mother of nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro and Rarieda ODM ticket winner Otiende Amollo.