The war between ODM leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto is taking shape, even after the former Prime Minister explained his role in the controversial Sh400 million gold scandal.
On his Twitter account, State House secretary digital in the communications department Dennis Itumbi, posted a goldish photo purportedly of Mr Odinga, giving him a new nickname, Goldinga.
Mr Itumbi, who now works from Ruto's Harambee Annex office, had earlier lashed at the police for arresting Kiambu MCA who had photos of Dr Ruto in his vehicle, arguing that they should have instead arrested Odinga for mock swearing-in last year.
"A proud display of the Coat of Arms by a creative & patriotic Kenyan and the illegal use of the Coat of arms by @RailaOdinga & Co. @NPSOfficial_KE arrested the one who dreams of @WilliamsRuto as the President someday. But not the man who declared himself President," he argued.
The MCA of Weithethe ward Julius Macharia and his driver George Ngugi were booked at Juja police station under OB 93/27/5/2019 at 2010hrs.
The details of arrest indicate that the vehicle displayed graphics of the coat of arms and national flag of Kenya thus "contravening section 3 (a) cap L.O.K of the National Flag Emblem and Names of Act.”
Last week, Odinga dismissed allegations linking him to the scandal, arguing that he has only acted as a whistleblower. He dismissed those linking him to the gold scandal that saw a Dubai Royal losing Sh400 million as 'desperate fellows'.
“I told the royal ruler that the voice he heard on phone was not that of the minister. I know Matiang’i’s voice and the callers were simply using it to advance their agenda,” said Mr Odinga as quoted by the Nation.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article erroneously referred to Mr Dennis Itumbi as a former State House official. Corrections have been made to reflect his current position of State House secretary digital in the communications department.