TNA leaders vow to back Ruto in his battle with ICC, dimiss rift in Jubilee

The National Alliance (TNA) has come out strongly to show solidarity with Deputy President William Ruto in a move to wad off a fall out that could be occasioned by the withdrawal of charges against President Uhuru Kenyatta by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Going by the huge number of TNA leaders at last weekend’s prayer and thanksgiving meeting in Turbo, Uasin Gishu County, it is clear the party is alive to a possible backlash from the United Republican Party (URP) side of the coalition over the ICC’s decision to withdraw the President’s charges.

TNA leaders from Nyeri, Nyandarua, Nakuru and Nairobi boldly announced that they had come to show their solidarity with Ruto, whose case is still pending at The Hague. The TNA MPs, Senators and Members of County Assembly (MCAs) said the Jubilee coalition is as strong as ever despite the ICC developments.

Nyeri County Assembly Speaker Mwangi Mugo denied there is a rift between URP and TNA, saying the Jubilee coalition was not made on the foundation of the ICC charges.

“We walked together in 2013, we will walk even  closer in 2017. The year 2022 will be a time to walk as we agreed, we will support the presidency of Ruto beyond any doubt, anybody speculating a division in Jubilee will have to wait longer,” said Mugo.

Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru said Kenya will walk with the DP until his case is determined and that he will eventually win.

Donned in shirts branded “Nakuru County na DP, God above all”, Nakuru MCAs rubbished claims of imminent rift between the President and Ruto now that the Kenyatta’s case at the ICC had been withdrawn.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria said TNA will stand with the DP until his case is determined, expressing optimism that the charges are baseless and will end just like the President’s.

“Ruto and the President did not vie for the presidency in 2007 but they were charged at the ICC. We will work together to ensure Kenya opts out of The Hague-based court so that it loses authority to summon our DP,” Mr Kuria said.

He said more than 200 MPs will accompany other African leaders to an African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa on January 2015 to push for their exclusion from the Rome Statute that binds them to the ICC.

Gichugu MP Njogu Barua said their presence in the prayer meeting to thank God for the acquittal of the President was enough to quell speculations that the central region will sever ties with Ruto and let him carry his own cross.

“We have even halted our celebrations after the acquittal of the President, we know our Deputy President will be free by April next year when we will hold a grand celebration,” said Barua.

Thanksgiving

Muriuki Njagagua, the Mbeere North MP, castigated the ICC for lack of uniformity in justice administration, saying the Jubilee coalition is assured of Ruto’s victory over the current impediment.

“I don’t even refer to Ruto as Kenya’s Deputy President because he is actually my president in waiting. The deal was done in 2013 and we will stand for each other,” said Barua.

Kieni’s Kanini Kega, who has become a common figure in the North Rift where he has been accompanying the DP to political forums, said they will pray for Ruto.

Senate Majority Leader Kindiki expressed solidarity with the DP, saying most of the cases had been terminated as the investigations were below par.

“When we convened here for a similar prayer meeting last year, the President, his deputy and radio presenter Joshua Sang were still facing charges. This year, one more person has been acquitted and I know next year it will be thanksgiving since everybody will be free,” Kindiki said.

The Tharaka Nithi Senator said Ruto and Sang’s cases are 70 per cent done yet no solid evidence had been tabled against them. URP senators Stephen Sang (Nandi), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet) and Isaac Melly (Uasin Gishu) and MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), James Bett (Kesses), Julius Melly (Tinderet), Cornelly Serem (Aldai) and Eusilah Ngeny, the Uasin Gishu Woman Representative, also expressed optimism that the DP will be acquitted.

Massive support

The leaders strongly disputed claims that the recent decision by the ICC to acquit President Kenyatta had soured ties between the URP and TNA camps, saying that the agreement of the coalition wasn’t based on the court’s development.

Ruto, who seemed to have been overwhelmed by the massive support from the Central region leaders, saying he was sure the case will be terminated at some point.

“I am very optimistic that we will be free to serve this nation as a coalition that was formed on a solid fundamental of eradicating the cancer of tribalism,” said Ruto.

“Saa hii ninajua mdosi ako free na ataendeleza manifesto yetu mbele (Now I know that my boss is free and well placed to continue fulfilling our Jubilee manifesto).”

The DP challenged leaders to to bring together all Kenyans irrespective of tribal, religious or political affiliations.

Ruto expressed empathy for Sang, saying he should be set free because he has been more of an escort with little attachment to the charges facing him.

“He was a mere radio presenter who knew nothing political. He never spoke at any rally or contested any seat. It would be relieving for him to be acquitted and I be left to deal with this issue,” he said.