Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Monday, February 24, 2025, dismissed reports that the government spent billions to bankroll his campaign for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid.
Speaking at Mombasa State House where he was hosted by President William Ruto following his return to the country after AUC election defeat, Raila termed reports claiming that the government spent Ksh13 billion on his campaign as misleading.
“I have seen billions being quoted, someone is talking about Ksh13 billion spent on Raila’s campaigns. I do not know which world those guys live in or whether they know what a billion means. A billion to do what?” Raila wondered.
Only transport
The former Prime Minister explained that the government only facilitated his transport and he never lived luxuriously during the campaign period.
Raila added that some countries offered him accommodation and even food during his visits.
“The money that was spent was the money that was necessary just to hire transport to travel around and we were not living luxuriously. We were eating whatever was provided to us,” Raila stated.
“Other countries were very generous, they provided accommodation and so on. The government gave what was required and the Minister of Foreign Affairs was available 24-7,” he added.
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