Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri defends his visit to The Hague

Deputy President William Ruto with Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter (left) and his Devolution counterpart Mwangi Kiunjuri (right) before the hearing of his case at The Hague on Thursday. [PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/STANDARD]

One of the Cabinet Secretaries attending Deputy President William Ruto's case in The Netherlands has defended what is arguably his first international assignment since he was sworn into office last month.

Mwangi Kiunjuri (Devolution) and Charles Keter (Energy) are among a group of Kenyan leaders offering "moral support" to Ruto as he pushes for termination of his case.

Mr Kiunjuri who was making his first appearance at The Hague since the cases started said people "must learn to differentiate between Government, politics and personal friendships".

"The DP is a personal friend. We have been together in Parliament since 1997. His children go to school with my children. His wife and my wife are friends. Besides, as a Government minister, I can be anywhere any time carrying on with Government duties and without need to disclose what those duties are," Mr Kiunjuri said.

He said as a Kenyan, he has a constitutional right to stand by his deputy president in times of tribulation. When asked whether he had been accompanying the DP in his previous appearances, the CS said: "No, I have not been here before but I have been working behind the scenes to support my brother in other ways."

He said the case had taken too long and had been overtaken by events.