Arror and Kimwarer dams: DPP Haji clarifies on DP Ruto's alleged involvement

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has clarified his previous remarks that seemingly absolved Deputy President William Ruto from alleged involvement in the Arror and Kimwarer Dams case.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, DPP Haji defended his sentiments saying the fact that he said the DP’s name was not in the case file does not mean Ruto is corrupt or not.

The DPP noted that he only responded to a direct question, and that that should not be misunderstood to insinuate that he was sanctifying any individual.

“I want to clarify a statement, when the issue of Arror and Kimwarer came up, the question was whether the deputy president was in the file and I said very clearly that he (Ruto) was not in the file before the court,” Haji said.

“My statements should not be used for political purposes, it does not mean in any way that any individuals that are suspected or are being accused of involvement in corruption by saying that an individual is or is not corrupt.”

He added: “The question was very particular and I don’t want to be in any way associated with any political party or leaning whatsoever.”

The prosecutor went on to caution politicians from using his remarks to cleanse themselves of wrongdoing, further underlining that any accused persons should clear their names before the public domain alone rather than depending on him to absolve them.

“If individuals have been accused of being involved in corruption in any way, they should be able to face the public and explain their position instead of using statements," he explained.

"Where individuals have been accused, I think it is up to them to defend themselves and clear of any accusations which are there, it is not my job to do that." 

During the first interview with NTV, Haji had said: “As far as I am concerned and from where I am sitting, no evidence has been brought against him (Ruto)."

In the said multi-billion dam scandal case involving former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich in 2019, leaders allied to the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party have linked the DP to the scandal where Ksh.21 billion was paid to an Italian firm for work not done.

DP Ruto and allies have on numerous occasions come out to deny the accusations leveled against him.