Education Minister Sam Ongeri is now accusing Prime Minister Raila Odinga of having a personal vendetta against him.

The minister said while he had no known grudge against the Raila, the latter was targeting him for political reasons."I have come to conclude that the PM seems to be having a personal vendetta against some leaders in this country among them myself," said the Nyaribari Masaba MP.

He said Raila was targeting him and some other leaders as he plots to take over power in 2012. "All these is cheap 2012 politics where the PM wants to cow me and by extension the Kisii community and ensure that when that time comes he will have it easy in Gusiiland. We have a right like any other community and we will stake a claim for our people when that time comes irrespective of the hurdles being placed before us," said the minister.

While announcing the suspension of Prof Ongeri, the PM said the report of the Internal Auditor General on Free Primary Education, laid credible foundations for the minister to be investigated. "I have not seen any report where I am implicated. Do you in the media have any in which Ongeri has been implicated?" he posed.

Ongeri said he has never condoned corruption in his long public service and challenged the PM to table any evidence to contradict his stand. "I am a trusted leader in this country and it pains me a lot when somebody comes up with fictious grounds to intimidate me," said Ongeri, adding he now wants to have some peace to concentrate on serving Kenyans as Education minister

The minister claimed he has not been implicated in any scandal including the Free Primary Education. He said: "I have been exonerated twice since the FPE started. The PS Karega Mutahi (who has since stepped aside) told Kenyans that I had nothing to do with allocation of funds in the ministry since I was not an accounting officer and the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission has not named me anywhere." He said the PM has no basis to sack him or push the President to take any action against him. He thanked the President for standing by him despite "well orchestrated campaign by some leaders".

Ongeri said before any minister is asked to resign, the PM should lead the way since he chairs most of the Cabinet sub-committees where key decisions are made.