NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 22- Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Friday presented himself to detectives at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to clear his name over Yatta land grabbing allegations.
Kalonzo said he opted to present himself so as to clear his name following accusations by Deputy President William Ruto that he grabbed the land from the National Youth Service (NYS).
“I own the land legally, the claim by the Deputy President are outrageous and I challenge him to substantiate his allegations,” Kalonzo said of the 200 acre farm at his rural home.
In making the claim last week, the DP blasted Kalonzo saying “the only thing he has to show after years in government is the land he grabbed.”
But Kalonzo fired back saying, “I have nothing to hide and I today challenge the authorities to open an investigation into this matter. I am today presenting myself for a thorough investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations as well as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.”
He accused Ruto of being “the biggest land grabber in the country” citing a case in his Rift Valley backyard where he was once charged with grabbing land belonging to a businessman who later won the case when the DP was ordered to return his land.
He also cited the disputed Lang’ata Road Primary School playground and the Weston Hotel land saga where Ruto’s name has featured prominently over irregular acquisition.
Ruto and Kalonzo are both eyeing the Presidency in 2022.
The two are also fighting to replace the late Senator Boniface Kabaka’s position in Machakos with their preferred candidates.
Kalonzo unveiled former Senator Johnston Muthama’s estranged wife Agnes Kavindu as Wiper’s candidate for the senatorial by election slated for March 18 while Ruto through his party United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is supportingbusinessman Urbanus Muthama in what has intensified their rivalry.
Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu on Tuesday defended Kalonzo saying he owns the Yatta land legally.
The former Lands Cabinet Secretary said the allegations by Deputy President William Ruto are “false because Kalonzo owns the land legally”.
“As a Minister of lands, I checked the details of that land and I found that Kalonzo had acquired that land very well,” Ngilu said.
She accused the DP of tarnishing Musyoka’s name by playing politics of land grabbing
“I would like to tell Deputy President to stop thinking that somebody of Kalonzo’s stature and standing can do the kind of things he is alleging,” she said.
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