Ruto confident he will triumph over charges at ICC

By JOB WERU and MUNENE KAMAU

Nairobi,KENYA; Barely a day after arriving back to Kenya from the Netherlands following adjournment of his crimes against humanity cases in the International Criminal Court (ICC), Deputy President William Ruto toured Kirinyaga and Nyeri counties, where he exuded confidence, saying he will triumph in the trials.

Ruto, who last month visited Kieni constituency in the county, said the unprecedented adjournment of the matter, following an application by the prosecution led by Ms Fatou Bensouda was an indication that the cases will not go far before he is released.

Speaking at Sagana and Karatina markets enroute to Nyeri where he opened Nyeri National Show at Kabiruini Grounds, the Deputy President thanked Kenyans for what he termed ‘unending prayers for me and President Uhuru Kenyatta’.

“I believe in the power of prayer. I am now seeing the cases being thrown out,” Ruto told a crowd in Karatina town.

And at Nyeri Upper Stage, Ruto said the prosecution had started backtracking in a case they claimed they had overwhelming evidence.

“They claimed they had evidence to nail us, but the recent events are an indication that all is well for us.

The Deputy President arrived back on Thursday morning, after his case and that of former radio journalist Joshua arap Sang was halted prematurely after prosecution witnesses failed to arrive at The Hague-based court on time.

Ruto was accompanied by The National Alliance activist Daniel Wamahiu, who hosted President Kenyatta last May, Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua and his Murang’a counterpart Mwangi Wa Iria, MPs Priscillah Nyokabi (Nyeri) and her Nairobi counterpart, Rachael Shebesh.

Others were MPs Kabando Wa Kabando (Mukurwe-ini), Ndung’u Gethenji (Tetu), Njogu Barua (Ndia) George Theuri (Embakasi West).

The leaders called on the ICC to respect the will of Kenyans and the recent declaration by the African Union.

Barua said the court was used to bar Uhuru and Ruto from presidency but we fought off the pressure and we will block any other move by the court.”

Gachagua and Nyeri County Assembly Speaker Mwangi Mugo said the ICC prosecutor is sensing defeat and this is why she sought adjournment.

Gachagua urged Ruto not to attend the Tuesday session, until the ICC calls him and confirms that the witnesses have arrived.

“They were not ready when they called you so there is no need for you to attend the session until they call you and say the witnesses have arrived,” said Gachagua.

Ruto at the same time told off the Coalition for Reform and Democracy (Cord) over their calls for constitutional referendum, saying their move is only meant to pursue selfish ends.

He said their opponents were yet to come to terms with their March 4 elections loss and are looking for ways to try another chance.

On development, Ruto urged Kenyans to support the government in implementing its development agenda. He said the Jubilee administration is committed to fulfilling its pre-election pledges as witnessed on Sunday when President Uhuru Kenyatta unveiled the Sh6 billion Uwezo Fund.

He said the government will buy 2,000 to 3,000 tractors, which will be distributed to counties. He, however, regretted that youths do not engage in agriculture, noting that the average age of a Kenyan farmer is 60 years. “We urge youths to try farming. There are many opportunities in agricultural production, processing, value-addition and the entire chain of production,” he said.