DP William Ruto tells off sycophants in ongoing ICC prayer rallies

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admires a sculpture of a lion in his office in Jerusalem, Israel, as Deputy President William Ruto looks on. [Photo: DPPS]

Deputy President William Ruto has accused some Jubilee coalition politicians of undermining him and exploiting ongoing prayer meetings for his International Criminal Court (ICC) case to gain political millage.

Although he publicly named Nandi Senator Stephen arap Sang, Mr Ruto further said United Republican Party (URP) rebels were working against him politically.

Speaking on Sunday at Koilot village in Nandi County where he presented cheques to people displaced by the 2007 post-election violence, Mr uto claimed some Jubilee leaders were opportunists and self-seekers who had turned honest intentions to hold prayers for him into selfish political forays.

"I am aware of a section of leaders in my own coalition who are out to ruin me. They publicly display false actions of loyalty before the electorate in prayers but sit down and dine with my enemies in private," Ruto said.

Turning to Senator Sang, who was present in the meeting, Ruto said: "Sang is being dishonest in his loyalty and dealings with me. He is misusing my name in public forums with claims that he was speaking with my blessing."

Ruto, who is also the URP leader, also hit out at outspoken Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter who is sponsoring a motion to impeach Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru following allegations of corruption at the National youth Service (NYS) where Sh791 million was lost.

"Keter (Nandi Hills MP) does not have my blessing in his efforts to impeach Waiguru. Corruption claims against Waiguru are currently under investigation and I advise that the legislator allows the bodies mandated with the responsibility do their work. He must therefore stop misleading the public that he is speaking for me," the DP said.

More than 90 MPs have signed the motion that has been submitted to the Clerk of the National Assembly for scrutiny and submission to the Speaker.

"These politicians are undermining my leadership. I can speak for myself on all issues affecting the Jubilee government, including issues of corruption and the ICC," said Ruto.

There have been a series of prayer meetings across the country with the latest in Mwentantu, Meru County where more that 100 MPs attended.

The first prayer meeting initially started as "a Kalenjin-only affair" in Kiptororo village, Kuresoi sub-county. It was followed by similar prayers in Mount Elgon, Ruiru in Kiambu and Kabartonjo in Baringo where hundreds of Jubilee legislators have used the opportunity to not only 'pray' but hit out at the Opposition.

It was at the Mount Elgon prayer meeting that Gatundu MP Moses Kuria claimed that he was involved in procuring witnesses to 'fix' Ruto in The Hague-based court.