Sifuna: Freedom has only come to President Ruto’s friends

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna says the withdrawal of charges levelled against some politicians is only to the advantage of leaders allied to President William Ruto.

The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji on Wednesday announced he had dropped a Ksh.19 million graft case against Public Service and Gender Cabinet Secretary nominee Aisha Jumwa.

He also recently made an application to withdraw a Ksh. 80 million graft case against former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal, who has been shortlisted for the position of Principal Secretary.

DPP Haji is also seeking approval to drop another Ksh.400 million graft case against former Kenya Power Managing Director Ben Chumo.

But according to Sifuna who was speaking in an interview on Citizen TV's Day Break program on Thursday, the withdrawals are only favouring President Ruto's allies and should not be used to imply that Kenyans are finally getting justice.

He cited Sirisia MP John Waluke's case, where the legislator last week started serving a 67-year jail term for fraud and illegal acquisition of Ksh.313 million.

"Don't tell us that freedom has come. Freedom has come only to Ruto's friends, because even yesterday, my brother from Bumula, Hon.Wmaboka asked, why has this freedom not come for the likes of [Sirisia MP John] Waluke? If freedom has come, let it come for everyone," said Sifuna.

The senator also shot down comments by Mukurwe-ini MP John Kagucia, who in the program claimed that the Kenya Kwanza government has created freedom in the country which the opposition is basking on.

Kagucia had said: "We can feel the freedom in the air and I think in the end that intimidation (by the State) and I know this government will not be engaging in this kind of witch-hunt anymore. Everyone is able to walk freely. Can you imagine the opposition is now on the campaign trail? They are now feeling the freedom and they are  using it."

But in a rejoinder, Sifuna said freedoms are provided for in the 2010 Constitution and Kenya Kwanza should not purport to have enabled the Raila Odinga-led faction to hold rallies freely.

"When you see Baba campaigning out there, know that that fredom has not been brought by the Tangatanga government, it is under Article 37 of the constitution. We have political rights, the rights to visit our people and assemble. This is not something new, we don't need anybody's permission to go out and have a conversation with the people," said Sifuna.

"You can interpret as political campaigns or whatever you want, but don't say it is newfound freedom because we gave ourselves this constitution in 2010 and it guarantees us all these rights," he added.