Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot joined the bandwagon that ridicules the handshake agreement between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Cheruiyot criticized the deal and stated that it only benefited a particular group of people in regards to the rise of corruption.
During an interview on NTV’s breakfast show, the tough talking senator alleged that a certain group of governors managed to steal from the public due to being supporters of the two leaders.
He claimed that no action is taken against the criminals despite the government’s assurance that it had intensified the fight against corruption.
“If you are a governor, you can steal as much as you want as long as you are on the side of the handshake.” remarked the Kericho Senator.
If you are a governor you can steal as much as you want as long as you are on the side of the handshake. – Aaron Cheruiyot #AMLiveNTV @OBurrows pic.twitter.com/VDtWXUwqm0
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) October 15, 2019
The vocal Cheruiyot was however lashed at by netizens who had mixed emotions on the matter.
The following are some of the reactions:
A netizen named Sir Paul questioned him whether he was complaining because he could not steal anymore.
“Is he complaining that Tanga Tanga governors cannot steal?” remarked Paul.
Another twitter user identified as Charlie stated that,” Pitiful statement! Uhuru and Ruto associated Politicians stole mind boggling sums of cash from NYS to Kimwarer and Aror projects. Let’s focus on the thievery without apportioning.
“What happened Senator Aaron Cheruiyot though? He is losing his sense of what is right and wrong.”
Ephraim Zaingi noted that, “Kimwarer was your last. Sasa ni kuvumilia.”
Zakx Mutugi uttered that, “Was governor Waititu on handshake side? He should give examples of governors who have looted public funds and are protected by the handshake.”
Was governor Waititu on handshake side? He should give examples of governors who have looted public funds and are protected by the handshake….
— Zakx Mutugi (@ZakxMutugi) October 15, 2019
Nyondiko stated that,”The handshake has denied Aaron’s master stealing opportunities.”
Nich Okeyo remarked that the politician should be clear with his allegations.
“Let the guy apply the very latest example. Which handshake governor has looted? When and where?.” remarked Okeyo.
The politician’s sentiments were seconded with further implications that the government was carrying its duties without being checked.
Further information alleged that the power held by Uhuru and Raila from the agreement had placed a number of MPs in a tough position.
It is claimed that the likes of ODM leaders such as Junet Mohammed, John Mbadi and Gladys Wanga who were the biggest critics of the Jubilee rule, had joined the fold to support moves such as increasing the debt level of the country.
The lawmakers during a parliamentary session last week, raised the debt ceiling to Ksh 9 trillion.
According to Junet, their new found friendship with the government, is attributed to its efforts to fight graft.
“When I realised that the war on corruption has serious political support, all the way from the President to the Speaker, I was convinced that this money will be spent in a good manner.” remarked the Minority Whip.
He was backed up by his counterpart Wanga who asserted that a growing economy depended on borrowing to some extent.
“No economy grows without borrowing. In fact, if you look at the data from the American economy, in 2018, American borrowing was at 77 percent of the GDP.”
“That is a debt that is moving towards 100 percent of GDP. If we measure our debt by the percentage to the GDP, it grows scarier and scarier.”
“If our debt ceiling is not raised, it does not mean that we are not borrowing. We are borrowing domestically. We are competing in the local market.”
“It had become very difficult for SMEs to get loans from commercial banks because they had to compete with the Government in terms of borrowing.” echoed the Homa Bay Women Representative.