ODM leader Raila Odinga has broken his silence on the Pandora Papers; a set of leaked documents that showcased the financial dealing of several world leaders.
Among the leaders mentioned in the leaked papers is President Uhuru Kenyatta, whose family was found to have accounts and massive investments abroad.
According to a report by BBC, President Kenyatta and six members of his family secretly own a network of offshore companies. The Kenyatta family has been linked to 11 firms; one of which has assets valued at over $30m which translates to Kshs3.3 billion.
The BBC further reports that a foundation named Varies was set up by the Kenyatta family in 2003. Mama Ngina Kenyatta is reportedly the first benefactor while President Kenyatta is the second beneficiary.
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Reacting to the report, Odinga noted that it is not illegal to own accounts and investments abroad.
ODM Leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta. [Photo: Courtesy]
The former Premier further noted that Kenyans should not focus too much on one having accounts abroad, but on how money in those accounts was acquired, and whether owners can give an account of their offshore investment and dealings.
“Hii ni mambo ya Pandora sioni kama kuna shida kuwa na account kule nje bora unaweza kusema jinsi ulifungua account. Vile Uhuru amesema atasema zaidi atakapo rudi,” Raila said during an interview with a vernacular radio station on Wednesday.
Although he does not see any fault in have bank accounts abroad, the ODM leader said he does not have any money in offshore accounts.
“Mimi sina chochote huko nje, yangu iko Kenya,” he opined.
