Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto in trouble over 'threatening' letter to his accusers

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto yesterday had a difficult time before the Senate over revelations that he had threatened to sue petitioners accusing him of abuse of office.

Mr Ruto found himself in trouble before the Senate Finance Committee for writing a 'threatening' letter to the petitioners.

The letter, written by Ruto's lawyers, had warned the 14 petitioners that they risked being hauled to court over their petition, which among other issues claimed the governor irregularly awarded contracts to over 10 companies, including some associated with his relatives.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto before the Senate committee yesterday. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

The petitioners had also accused the governor of incurring expenditure for items not budgeted for, and starving the county Services Board of funds to carry out its operations.

Following the petition filed last year, Ruto wrote the letter in which he warned that the allegations against him amounted to defamation.

"Please know that the allegations are actionable and amount to defamation," reads part of the letter.

The letter was, however, not taken kindly by the senators, with committee chairman Billow Kerrow (Mandera) telling the governor that he has no power to stop anyone from petitioning the Senate to investigate him.

"No amount of letters from your office will deny these petitioners their rights. The petitioners should not feel threatened. I don't think you have the right to threaten anyone who has petitioned the Senate. If you are unhappy with the process, you can go to court to challenge the process," said Mr Kerrow.

Anyang' Nyong'o (Kisumu) said: "The committee has similar powers to those of a High Court. A lawyer would, therefore, not approach the petitioner outside the court process."

Ruto in his defence argued that the petitioners had raised allegations that they could not substantiate, and that the petition does not take away his right to seek legal redress.