Ruto tears into Sifuna over Dangote refinery deal, accuses him of extortion

President William Ruto has torn into Linda Mwananchi Movement leader and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, labelling him an extortionist and claiming former President Uhuru Kenyatta was using him to demand the agreement between Kenya and Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote on the construction of the Dangote East Africa Refinery in Lamu County.

President Ruto, who toured Taita Taveta and Mombasa counties on Thursday, said he would not let anyone undermine the project, claiming the Dangote cement project was stopped by demands for kickbacks.

"Jana niliskia yule Mr Empty wa shiny things, eti alikuwa anauliza jana eti wapi agreement ya mambo ya Dangote. Sasa nikamuangalia yule jamaa, kwanza ametumwa…Mr Empty wa shiny things ametumwa na yule sponsor eti akuje kuulizia agreement ile ya mambo ya refinery. Mimi nataka nikuambie wewe Mr Empty, hiyo agreement kama unataka, unajua vile kuipata,” Ruto said.

President Ruto sustained his scathing attack on Sifuna, saying he would not release the document signed on Tuesday to the Senator and other opposition leaders.

"Mimi nataka nikuambie wewe Mr Empty, hiyo agreement kama unataka, unajua vile kupata. Hiyo agreement inaulizwa kule Bunge ndiyo iletwe,” Ruto noted.

The President then revisited the failed Dangote cement project, which was marred by allegations of kickbacks and bribes, accusing his former boss, Uhuru Kenyatta, of being part of the cartel that frustrated Dangote.

"Hiyo agreement mnataka ndiyo mfanyie huyo Dangote vile mlimfanyia siku hiyo ingine. Mimi nataka kuwaambia bwana, ile utapeli mlifanya ndiyo huyo Dangote akakosa kuwekeza Kenya kampuni ya simiti. Hamwezi kujaribu kwa hii ya refinery. Mimi niko hapo macho mbaya sana... You cannot,” he said.

Ruto accused Sifuna of leading an extortionist ring in Parliament, where he claimed Governors were harassed for bribes when they appeared before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).

"Wakienda Bunge huyo Mr Empty anawahangaisha, anawaambia leta pesa hii, tuhonge na hii, tuhonge na ile. What values does an extortionist like you, extorting from our Governors, extorting from devolution, and you dare tell us about values? Which values?" Ruto posed.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir added, “Wale ambao watajaribu kumpeleka Dangote kortini, sisi tutakuwa enjoined kwa hiyo kesi kortini tuwaweke hao extortionists wote kando."

The Head of State continued to launch projects in the two counties as his tour of the coastal region entered its sixth day.