I am happy with ICC ruling on Ruto, Sang cases – Governor Ruto

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has expressed delight with ICC’s decision to dismiss cases against Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua arap Sang.

In a statement issued after the Tuesday ruling, Ruto said that the cases facing the DP and Sang were baseless, adding that the post-election violence was not planned but spontaneous.

“I am happy that the ICC cases facing DP William Ruto and Joshua arap Sang have been terminated. ICC is a fair court after all,” said the governor.

“I was a player in the 2007 campaigns alongside the DP. The violence was spontaneous and was sparked by a bungled electoral process,” he stated.

Governor Ruto, who has over time fallen out with the Deputy President due to his Pesa Mashinani referendum push and outright opposition of the government, urged Kenyans to avoid any utterances that may lead to post-election violence during the 2017 elections.

He also called on Jubilee to now focus on delivery on their pledges to Kenyans and revive Agenda 4 to give new impetus to reduction of poverty and inequality, youth unemployment and land reforms.

“The acquittal gives Jubilee Administration ample time to concentrate on delivering their election pledges and to heal the country,” he said.

Agenda 4 is a clause in the National Dialogue and Reconciliation Agreement signed by Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga in Nairobi in February 2008, leading to the formation of the Government of National Unity in a bid to end the post-election violence.

The clause calls for long term measures and solutions to promoting national cohesion in the country such as constitutional, institutional and legal reforms like land reform; poverty and inequity; unemployment, particularly among the youth.

It also calls for national cohesion and unity, transparency, accountability and addressing impunity.

Despite their public differences, Governor Ruto has in several occasions expressed support for the DP while defending his innocence in the cases against him.

In February this year, the Bomet Governor warned President Uhuru Kenyatta that he stands to lose support from the vote-rich Rift Valley should the Ruto and Sang fail to shed off the cases at the ICC before 2017.

Governor Ruto has since formed his Mashinani Party to rival Ruto’s URP party, an affiliate of the Jubilee Alliance that is on the verge of dissolving in favour of the all-inclusive Jubilee Party.

He also urged Parliament to call a national conference to reform the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for it to earn the confidence of all political players before 2017.

@benjaminwafula