Ex-MP, Cyrus Jirongo, tells President Uhuru Kenyatta to apologise to Kenyans over DP William Ruto ICC case

United Democratic Party (UDP) party leader Cyrus Jirongo has asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to apologise to Kenyans over his alleged role in the case against Deputy President William Ruto at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

United Democratic Party leader and former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo (second right), Mediheal Hospital CEO Swarrup Mishra (left) and Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi (right) during a fund-raiser at Nandet in Kesses Constituency, on Monday. Jirongo asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to clear himself over Ruto 'fixing' claims. (PHOTO: PETER OCHIENG/ STANDARD)

Jirongo, a former Lugari MP who rose to the political limelight along with Ruto as members of Youth for Kanu in 1992, claimed Uhuru's party was in coalition with the Party of National Unity (PNU) and was aware of the plot to have Ruto prosecuted at ICC following the 2007/2008 post-poll chaos.

"People should stop hypocrisy that they are praying for Ruto yet they are the ones who set him up and instead should say the truth, apologise to him first and all Kenyans before talking of strategising to have him absolved from The Hague-based court," he said.

Political career

Speaking in Kesses Constituency, Uasin Gishu, during a funds drive on Sunday, Jirongo said the merger of the United Republican Party led by Ruto with The National Alliance of President Uhuru Kenyatta had turned out against the DP, with the latter's political career and his command in Rift Valley suffering.

"Hii ni ndoa ya mateso kwa Deputy President (The DP is in an oppressive marriage). He should get out immediately and come so that we can make a union to walk out of slavery together. When we merge forces nobody can stop our power," he said.

Jirongo also accused key persons in Government of bringing down economic strongholds in Western Kenya, referring to the approval of sugar importation, and maize and dairy production where prices had massively nose-dived.