Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has revealed that he was tempted to hide some money in secret foreign accounts just like the recently exposed wealth of President Uhuru’s family.
During an interview with Kalenjin vernacular stations on October 6, Odinga said that some tycoons approached him with the idea when he was serving in the coalition government.
The businessmen wanted Raila to engage in illegal activities that would benefit the tycoons, who promised to help him keep money in secret accounts overseas.
“I have been in Government, and I know there are many temptations that come with being a senior State official.
“A businessman would approach you, and tell you: ‘look, do this favour for me, and I would give you funds that you can store in secret accounts’.
“From the onset, I told them: ‘no, that is the work of the devil. You’re like a devil tempting Jesus. I remember, from the Bible, Jesus told Satan: ‘go away!” Raila Odinga said.
While reacting to the Pandora Papers expose, Raila said there is need for transparency from government officials over any accounts they have overseas.
Just like President Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila said such revelations are necessary to ensure auditing of State officers’ foreign accounts.
“I am optimistic that the truth on Pandora Papers will come out. (President) Uhuru has already welcomed the findings, and is ready to comprehensively address the matter when he returns to Kenya from his foreign trip,” he said.
Raila said it is not illegal for any Kenyan, including Preisndeht Uhuru’sf amily to own such accounts, but there is need to explain such to the public.
On October 3, an expose by international media houses revealed that President Uhuru’s mum Mama Ngina Kenyatta, brother Muhoho, sisters Nyokabi and Christina Kenyatta have accounts overseas with billions of money.
