Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi has announced a step back from public fundraising activities and political engagements, citing persistent criticism and the misuse of church fundraisers to tarnish his reputation.
The announcement follows a heated exchange with Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who accused Sudi of extravagant donations amid growing concerns about the sources of political funds.
In a series of videos posted on X on June 30, Sudi clarified that a recent church fundraiser’s total amount of Ksh 20 million was not a personal donation from him but a collective contribution from all attendees.
“Inawezekananje wewe unaongea hii uongo mchana? Yaani haumini watu wa kanisa tukiungana tunaweza changa hata Sh50M?”
Sudi further explained,
“Sh20M ilikuwa pesa yote ya mchango. Kanisa ilikuwa imechanga Sh14M. Ya juu tukaongezea mimi na marafiki na watu wengine.”
He defended the origin of his wealth, asserting that his financial success is the result of hard work and not dubious means, as some critics have suggested.
“Nimekuwa nikifanya kazi before nikuwe mbunge… I bought my first Range Rover when I was 22 years. Mnataka tutembee mguu wote?” Sudi said.
Furthermore, Sudi announced that he would be taking a sabbatical leave from public engagements, particularly harambees, which have been used to malign his intentions and actions.
“Going forward, I’ll not participate in any Harambee because it has been used to malign and disparage the good course—let it be banned,”
President William Ruto, during a media roundtable on the same evening, emphasized the need to curb the culture of harambee among politicians.
“We need to change the culture of harambee. It started as a noble exercise, supporting many people to go to school, but I think it has stretched too far. We must stop harambees because it is breeding corruption,” Ruto stated.
Sudi’s announcement of a break from public life includes a pointed response to Senator Khalwale, who criticized his fundraiser activities while speaking from a mud-walled church. Sudi expressed his frustration with the backlash and jealousy he has faced, noting that people are quick to judge without understanding the efforts involved in raising funds for charitable causes.
“Nimeenda leave kwa sababu ya kelele na watu wenye wivu kama wewe… Watu wengi hawajui vile tunatafuta pesa ya hizi harambee,” Sudi lamented.
He hinted at a potential return to public engagements, possibly in one or two years, and even suggested starting his future charitable activities with a donation to the very church Khalwale criticized him from.
“Kwanza hiyo kanisa ulikuwa leo, my brother, unikumbushe hiyo siku, nikuje nisaidie kwa sababu nimeona ulikuwa unaongelea kwa kanisa ya matope. Mungu hafai kuwa kwa any kind of that. Kwa hivo omba sana mawazo yangu ikirudi baada ya miaka moja ama mbili, nitaanza na hiyo kanisa ya mtope ambayo ulikuwa unaongelea,” Sudi said.
ALSO READ;
