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Raila's camp issues statement on new Kenyan notes with Jomo Kenyatta's statue

Authors:

Miriam Mwende

The notes have become a contentious subject after their launch

File image of Raila Odinga with Junet Mohamed. Junet has led MPs in declaring support for new currency notes with Jomo Kenyatta statue

National Assembly Minority leader Junet Mohamed has led a section of MPs allied to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in declaring support for the new Kenyan notes launched on Madaraka Day.

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Their statement disowned Siaya Senator James Orengo and ODM Chairman John Mbadi's earlier remarks that raised concerns over the new notes.

Junet agreed with CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge who explained that the change-over would nab on those holding money obtained through corruption and other illegal ways as well as dealers of fake currency.

Kenya's new currency banknotes launched on Madaraka Day. Only amounts above Sh5 million will be exchanged at the CBK
Kenya's new currency banknotes launched on Madaraka Day. Only amounts above Sh5 million will be exchanged at the CBK Pulse Live Kenya

"Raising mundane and peripheral issues such as legality of the currency is retrogressive and meant to scuttle the main agenda, as if corruption is in itself legal. The President should ignore such noises that only derail the war against corruption," the MP stated.

The statement was endorsed by Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang', Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, Seme MP James Nyikal and Alego Usonga MP Samuel atandi who also labeled themselves as ODM lawyers.

Statement from MPs who have accompanied Raila to UK

Special AU envoy Odinga was still in London, UK when his foot soldiers made the remarks where he raised issues on fake news.

Nyando MP Jared Okoth, who joined the former PM in UK, added that the demonetization of the old Sh1,000 note was in order.

"I fully support the CBK demonetization agenda to rid the country of corruption proceedings and money laundering. The war on graft isn't easy to win. Lots of strategies must be employed. We have to fully embrace this new scheme," he stated.

CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge presents the new generation notes to President Uhuru Kenyatta on 01 June 2019 during the Madaraka Day celebrations in Narok
CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge presents the new generation notes to President Uhuru Kenyatta on 01 June 2019 during the Madaraka Day celebrations in Narok Pulse Live Kenya

MP Mbadi on Tuesday also added to the debate, reiterating that the statue of the founding president ought to be removed and emphasizing that the party supports the move by CBK.

He also called on the Central Bank to move the date for demonetization of the old Sh1,000 note to August 1, 2019, two months before the official date October 1, 2019.

Authors:

Miriam Mwende

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