William Ruto: State using courts to harass my allies

Deputy President William Ruto addresses residents of Kiawara in Nyeri county during the third day of his tour of the region, December 6, 2021. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto has asked the state to stop using the judicial system to intimidate his supporters and members of his United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Speaking on the third day of his Nyeri tour, yesterday, Ruto claimed that the government was deliberately using the courts to harass those perceived to be UDA supporters and sympathisers with a view of scaring them to abandon him.

The DP challenged his opponents to come up with policies and manifestos to sell to Kenyans and allow the people to make choices instead of coercing them to support certain individuals.

"My administration will never use the judicial system to settle political scores under the guise of fighting corruption," Ruto said during his Mt Kenya tour that also took him to Wiyumiririe trading centre in Laikipia County.

He told residents at Endarasha market that most governors are shying from showing their support for UDA for fear of being intimated and harassed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The DP said most of the corruption cases facing governors and his sympathisers were a fabrication aimed at intimidating them not to speak their minds.

"This system of using the judicial system to fight political wars in the guise of fighting corruption is a scheme being hatched by our competitors to scare those who want to join us," the DP explained.

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwa claimed that there is a plan to influence a favourable ruling on the Building Bridges Initiative in a bid to revive the process and delay the next elections.

The DP first held a meeting with more than 1,000 church leaders at the Mt Kenya West Anglican Diocese Cathedral in Nyeri town before he addressed residents during stopovers at Mweiga, Endarasha, Charity, Kiawara and Nairutia markets.

At the cathedral, Ruto who was hosted by outgoing Bishop Joseph Kagunda, presided over a funds drive for the construction of a retirement home for the cleric, donating Sh3 million - Sh500,000 in cash and a pledge of Sh2.5 million.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, MPs Rigathi Gachagua, Kimani Ichungwa, Ndindi Nyoro, Rahab Mukami and Nyeri Speaker David Kaguchia gave Sh100,000 each. Rigathi also gave an additional pledge of Sh1 million.

"We give our donations here not because we are UDA or I am the Deputy President, but because we are Christians," Ruto told the congregation.

The DP said UDA had the support of more than 160 legislators who have resisted attempts to join tribal and regional parties.

"We cannot as a nation afford to beat back to the path of a tribal entity and that is why I urge all my supporters to join the UDA," he stated.

Ruto maintained that fixing the economy was more important than amending the Constitution through BBI to create positions for leaders.

He promised to boost Agriculture which employs a majority of Kenyans through the provision of subsidised inputs such as fertiliser at Sh1,500 per 50-kilo bag.

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