Former Makadara lawmaker Bernard Mutura has questioned Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga's involvement in the Sh400 million fake gold saga.
Speaking in Kisii on Friday, Raila admitted being at the centre of the issue, noting that he was in Dubai about the same and is the whistleblower in the heated scandal.
Speaking on Radio Jambo's Mazungumzo Waziwazi show on Saturday, Mutura questioned Raila's decision to meet the Dubai royal family which is said to have been duped in the trade.
He insisted that the buyers are also culprits in the trade for using unlawful ways to procure the mineral, being well aware that it entails a clearly spelt out process.
"Huyu anayenunua gold bila kufuata sheria pia ni mkora. Na Raila atuambie alikuwa anaenda kukaa na wakora wakizungumzia nini (The one buying gold without following the right channels is also a thief, so Raila should explain what he was discussing with such a person)," he said.
He claimed that despite his claims that he is just a whistleblower, the former Prime Minister could be at the middle of the trade and might be eyeing the money for his campaigns in the approaching 2022 general elections.
"Huezi jua kama alitaka kutumia hizi pesa kama za kampeni ya 2022 (maybe he wanted to use the money for his 2022 elections)," added the Jubilee Party member.
However, in a quick rejoinder, Makadara MP George Aladwa who was also a panellist in the interview rubbished the claims, saying that Raila is too rich to engage in such deals.
He added that Raila was not in Dubai specifically to address the gold issue.
"Raila alikuwa katika mambo yake tu ndipo akaulizwa mambo ya gold. Raila ni tajiri sana kupiga deal za milioni mia nne (Raila was just doing his things when he was asked about the gold issue. He is too rich to engage in Sh400 million deals),'' he argued.