President Uhuru Kenyatta blasts CORD over land claims, Ruto demands apology

President Uhuru Kenyatta

Kilifi, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta revisited the ongoing debate on recent land scandals, accusing the Opposition of trying to tarnish his government as his deputy William Ruto threatened legal action.

The President said Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leaders are out to gain popularity by raising unwarranted issues and are applying divisive politics to remain relevant instead of preaching peace and unity.

Uhuru spoke as his Deputy William Ruto demanded retraction of ‘malicious’ statements that CORD leaders have been issuing linking him to the Karen land saga in Nairobi or else they meet him in court.

The DP singled out Cord leaders Johnstone Muthama, Elizabeth Ongoro, James Orengo, UDF Senator Boni Khalwale and MP Junet Mohamed.

While addressing a crowd at Karisa Grounds in Kilifi, Uhuru said CORD leadership could not appreciate anything good done by his government but keeps on accusing it to gain political mileage.

“There are some leaders in this country who will never praise my government for the good things but will keep on blasting it so that they can get sympathy from Kenyans,” he said.

On Wednesday, during a press conference after his return from a trip abroad, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, criticised the Jubilee government on a number of issues, and called for mixed presidential and parliamentary system of government.

But Friday, the President said his government is committed to addressing the squatter problem at the Coast and other regions and told Cord leaders not to interfere with the process. Uhuru had visited Kenya Medical Research Institute in Kilifi where he officially opened a research training facility before joining the staff to celebrate their 25th year anniversary.

Ruto, through his lawyer, Kioko Kilukumi and Company Advocates, said those who mentioned him adversely in the 135 acres Karen land saga must apologise. The Opposition claimed that senior officials in the Jubilee government are beneficiaries of the land saga.

Personal gain

But in letters sent to each leader, dated October 23, 2014; Ruto distances himself from the scandal and is demanding an apology from his accusers in the next seven days. Failure to which he will sue them for damages. Says the letter; “Our client’s attention has been drawn to a press statement you signed and issued on October 16, 2014.”

The statement by CORD stated that “high ranking personalities in the Jubilee Administration” have grabbed a parcel of land situated in Karen, Nairobi. It stated that the land in question is public land irregularly allocated further asserting that ‘Kenyans have watched helplessly as the tyranny of numbers pillaged public resources and abused power for personal gain under the superintendence of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto’.

Ruto’s lawyer stated: “Our instructions are that the contents of the statement are false, untrue and malicious. The contents of the statement are factually incorrect. Our client neither owns a single inch of the land in question nor is he involved in any matter whatsoever with the disputed parcel of land.”

“It is our instruction that the substance and purport of the statement was calculated and designed to be understood by members of the public that our client was a land grabber, corrupt and an individual with an insatiable appetite for public land which drives him to abuse state power for personal gain. We reiterate therefore that the contents of the statement were extremely malicious, defamatory and intended to soil, tarnish and malign our client’s standing and reputation as Deputy President,” said the lawyer.

He argues that as a result of publication and broadcast of the statement, their client, Ruto, has been greatly injured in his credit, status and reputation, as well as exposed to hatred, ridicule, contempt, humiliation and agony.

But Suna East MP Junet Mohamed remains defiant despite the threat of legal action: “I will not issue any apology because there is no need for one. Let us meet in court.”

A section of Cord leaders was expected to appear before the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) this week to give evidence they say will back their claims on the alleged beneficiaries of the Karen land. They however failed to show up as earlier anticipated. President Uhuru has warned leaders against making unsubstantiated claims on the matter.

Speaking in Kilifi Friday, Uhuru who was accompanied by the Cabinet Secretary for Health James Macharia said elected leaders need to work together and foster development.

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi and his Tana River county counterpart Hussen Dado said they are ready to work with the government for the sake of development. Area CORD ‘rebellious’ MPs led by Gideon Mungaro assured the president that they will continue to work with his administration.

Mungaro, Musstaffa Idd (Kilifi South MP), Peter Shehe(Ganze), Gunga Mwinga (Kaloleni, Dan Kazungu (Malindi), Harrison Kombe (Magarini), Gonzi Rai (Kinango), Khatib Mwasheteni (Lunga Lunga) and Zainab Chidzuga (Kwale county women represenative) assured the president of continued working relationship.