Kenyan former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has declared that he has no offshore accounts amid reports that Kenyans, including President Uhuru Kenyatta and his family, are saving funds abroad.
Speaking during a morning show with Emo FM, a local radio station, on Wednesday, the opposition chief said there is no problem with having foreign accounts as long as they are not used to execute corruption.
“I don’t own any real estate or have any offshore accounts. All of my assets and accounts are located in Kenya “Odinga stated.
The ODM party leader urged Kenyans operating accounts in foreign accounts to explain, noting that some people are hiding money looted from government coffers.
“I’ve worked in government, and there are numerous temptations. Sometimes people who have won tenders approach you and promise you stuff, even stating they’ll hide it for you. “I was approached, but I declined,” he added.
On Sunday, a report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) linked Kenyatta and six family members to ownership of 13 offshore companies for decades.
Reacting to the report, President Kenyatta said he will account for his offshore billions.
In a statement released on Monday, Kenyatta said, “The Pandora Papers and future follow-up audits will lift that shroud of secrecy and darkness for individuals who cannot explain their holdings or fortune.”
Odinga further noted that he has no problem with Kenyatta having offshore accounts calling on Kenyans to calm down and wait for the President’s explanation.
