ATWOLI: CONSIDER RAILA’S CLAIMS ON WATER PROJECT

Central Organisation of Trade Unions secretary-general Francis Atwoli addresses journalists at the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union offices in Nakuru on October 13, 2016. He said Raila Odinga does not speak recklessly. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

By MAURICE KALUOCH

Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has asked the Jubilee government not to dismiss claims by opposition leader Raila Odinga over the Murang’a water project.

Mr Odinga has claimed that the World Bank-funded Sh5.8 billion project will cause desertification in parts of eastern Kenya and the Coast.

The Jubilee government has, however, dismissed the claims saying the project will continue as planned and that it will have no adverse effects on the environment.

Speaking in Homa Bay on Friday, Mr Atwoli said Mr Odinga’s claims should be considered.

“The government should know that before the opposition leader speaks, he conducts proper research supported by documents. You should not just rubbish all that he says as political,” he said.

“In Kenya, only President Uhuru Kenyatta, Mr Odinga and myself should not be dismissed when we speak.

“It is unfortunate that, instead of carrying out investigations and disapproving his statement on a project that is worrying everybody, they rushed to dismiss the opposition leader,” he added.

He pointed out that when the opposition leader said there was theft at the National Youth Service, Jubilee leaders dismissed him.
SOURCE: NATION