CORD leaders: We did not tarnish Deputy President William Ruto's name

Kenya: Five Opposition leaders have denied defaming Deputy President William Ruto through statements linking him to the 134.4-acre Karen land saga.

Senators Johnstone Muthama (Machakos), James Orengo (Siaya), Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), Elizabeth Ongoro (nominated) and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed said their remarks do not constitute defamation but fair comment. They added that the Deputy President was allegedly part of the scheme to grab the Sh8 billion land.

The five were represented by lawyers Anthony Oluoch, Paul Mwangi, Celestine Opiyo, Harun Ndubi and Innocent Muganda. They argued their "words were fair comment without malice made on a matter of public interest".

"The defendants, each and all deny that the words complained of were in any way malicious. Further, the statements were made in reference to inaction of named State officers including the Deputy President in line with their respective official duties," the lawmakers said.

The CORD politicians insisted that Ruto was part of the beneficiaries and even if he was not, he failed in his constitutional duty to prevent his subordinates from the grand scheme as he is constitutionally and politically liable for the actions of his juniors in his capacity as DP and acting President then.

They said the grounds for fair comment include that, the administration of which Ruto is the DP, has presided over the pillaging of public resources and assets through fraud and other corrupt activities since it took office in April 2013.

"The land grabbing was conducted with the full knowledge of Ruto and the public officers mentioned and was perpetrated due to their connivance and or inactivity," they added.

They argued that Ruto is the co-principal of a coalition to which, it had been reported in the public media and had become a notorious fact in the public domain, a majority of the beneficiaries of the said land grabbing belonged.

"Ever since allegations were made against the DP's subordinates and fellow Jubilee members, he had taken no known action in contravention of his constitutional duties as Deputy President, acting President then and co-principal of the Jubilee," they said.