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Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua  yesterday blamed President Uhuru Kenyatta for allegedly contributing to the increase in infections in the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The former Gichugu MP told a press conference in Nairobi that when infection rates slowed late last year, the President and his Handshake partner, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party boss Raila Odinga restarted their Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) campaign to change the Constitution, which attracted huge crowds.

Deputy President William Ruto, whose support to the BBI document is mild, also held massive rallies.

The One Kenya Alliance of Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, Kanu’s Gideon Moi, his Wiper counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka, and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula as they campaigned for their candidates in Kabuchai, Matungu and Machakos mini polls also threw their guard out of the window.

These were “super spreader” events, Karua said.

“Kenyans will recall that a majority of citizens zealously observed the Covid-19 protocols and that it is the top political players who led their supporters into mass rallies in total disregard of Covid-19 protocols while campaigning for BBI and the just concluded by-elections,” she told journalists at the party headquarters on Monday.

Takes charge

Karua also wondered why one year down the line the government has not brought to book persons involved in looting funds set aside to fight the pandemic, commonly referred to as Covid billionaires.

She asked Uhuru to personally take charge and ensure the culprits are apprehended.

In August last year, the President gave Government investigative agencies 21 days to expedite investigations into alleged theft of funds at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority.

“This has failed and we are reminding him for umpteenth time that 21 days are over. We have another Coronavirus wave, there is work undone and your government has not caused the arrest and prosecution of the culprits,” she said.

She added: “They continue to walk scot free enjoying their ill-gotten wealth while Kenyans are being ravaged by Covid-19 and ill served by an ill prepared health system that is unable to respond to the critically ill and unable to provide adequate vaccines.”

While taking a swipe at the containment measures pronounced by the President including a cessation of movement in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado and Nakuru counties, Karua said the second lock down provides the Covid millionaires and billionaires with more opportunities to continue looting, unless action is taken.

“We are greatly aggrieved that the Jubilee administration did not outline any measures to address these hardship realities as they announced the lockdown,” she said, adding that lockdown signals a new set of automatic job losses.