A close ally to Deputy President William Ruto has accused the media of biased coverage when it comes to the DP amid ongoing investigations on fake Ksh 39 billion firearms deal.
Taking to Twitter, Dennis Itumbi, who is closely associated with the deputy president, ranted over linkage of Ruto to the saga that saw former Sports CS Rashid Echesa arrested at Harambee House Annex, which houses the DP’s offices.
A seemingly angry Itumbi questioned why President Uhuru Kenyatta name was not mentioned in a 2018 con game, in which one Fredrick Muhanji Mangala, was arrested for his involvement in fake tenders believed to have been issued by suspected well-connected fraudsters inside State House, the Office of the Deputy President and the Department of Defence (DoD).
When alleged fraudsters struck right inside @StateHouseKenya – The media & @DCI_Kenya did NOT tell us it was The President . When they did the same at @kdfinfo – we were not told it was The CDF – but hey when they do it in Annex we all bring in DP @WilliamsRuto – CHEAP GAMES! pic.twitter.com/TynzGsSrbH
— Dennis Itumbi, HSC (@OleItumbi) February 15, 2020
In the 2018 case, Manjala was said to be among a group of criminals luring wealthy business people with fake “restricted” tenders complete with documents to supply equipment, mostly laptops, worth millions of shillings.
According to statements recorded by the police, the meetings were typically held inside State House and other government offices to gain the confidence of those being targeted and give legitimacy to the fake transactions.
Itumbi went on to urge three top officials in the DP’s office who were mentioned in the saga to sue The Standard for crafting lies aimed at soiling Ruto’s name while pointing out that a defamation case against the publication would enable the truth to prevail.
The three, a longtime personal aide of the DP Farouk Kibet, Chief of Staff Ken Osinde and Private Secretary Reuben Maiyo, have been mentioned by The Standard as persons of interest because by the virtue of their positions ought to have been in the know when such an enormous deal was being struck.
“Maiyo, Farouk & Osinde should sue @StandardMediaKe – these kinds of lies should not be allowed to stand. They are crafted & sold by @DCI_Kenya like they keep doing in many cases. What they tell Media is NOT what they take to court. A defamation suit will enable the TRUTH PREVAIL,” an angry Itumbi tweeted.
On his part, the DP termed the reports linking him to the saga as a smear campaign designed by his political rivals.
“The desperation of my political competitors on their choreographed smear campaign against WsR is evident even for fools (whom we have a shortage for) to see. Just wait and see where this will end up. Washindwe! Go for the fraudsters. Leave me to serve the nation.” DP Ruto posted on Twitter.
ODP does NOT procure for any ministry/department. Question:other than 23min in Annex,for months,which government offices involved in the ‘tender’ did the scammers visit? Did they access DOD? Who facilitated? Who did they meet? Get the truth.Forget the sponsored NONSENSE in media
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) February 16, 2020