We are still united despite Ruto Hague burden, says Uhuru

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, Mr William Ruto, Sunday sought to reassure their supporters that they were united despite the turn of events at the International Criminal Court.

The President’s charges of crimes against humanity at The Hague-based court were dropped on Friday but Mr Ruto’s trial in the same court continues, causing jitters that their unity in the Jubilee Coalition may be headed for tough times.

The Jubilee chiefs yesterday promised to continue pushing for the withdrawal of the case against Mr Ruto and former radio presenter Joshua arap Sang.

They said claims that their parties — TNA and URP — were brought together by a common threat from the ICC, hence were bound to part ways with the collapse of the President’s were lies and propaganda.

“Those sleeping and waking up thinking ICC will divide us are dreaming,” said the President. “I am telling them in broad daylight to forget that.”

President Kenyatta was in Embu County Sunday in his first public meeting since the crimes against humanity charges against him were dropped.

He was accompanied by Senators Kindiki Kithure, Kipchumba Murkomen and Lenny Kivuti.

He first attended a Jubilee celebration Mass conducted by John Cardinal Njue at St Paul’s Kevote Catholic Church in Runyenjes Constituency, where speaker after speaker praised the ICC prosecutor’s decision to withdraw the charges.

“I am thankful to God for what he has done to me,” Mr Kenyatta told the congregation. “I believe when God is in control, everything goes smoothly.”

‘TRUTH FOUND’

The President said he was innocent from the beginning of the case and had prayed to God that the truth be known.
“The truth has been found. The case has disappeared. The devil has been defeated.”

The leaders prayed for the case against Mr Ruto and Mr Sang to be dropped. The church gave the President carvings of a lion and a giraffe “to signify the fight he has been having”.

President Kenyatta later joined Mr Ruto at the Anglican Church of Kenya St Paul Cathedral in Embu Town for the inauguration of Bishop David Muriithi Ireri.

The two addressed a large gathering at the town’s bus station. A jovial President Kenyatta said he was celebrating the Silver Jubilee of his marriage besides the good news from The Hague.

“I thank God for removing the burden on me. It was a heavy one fuelled with lies and political influence, but at the end, as I had said, I believe we are innocent. I believe even my brothers Ruto and Sang will be relieved soon. We will continue to fight to ensure justice is done to them and they are released.”

The President asked Kenyans to pray for Mr Ruto and Mr Sang “for the load on them to be removed so that we can work together for the development of this country.

“We will continue to defend ourselves until we get justice in the two cases.”

The leaders said they were not united by the ICC cases but out of a need to unite Kenyans. “We had seen what the country could go through when people are divided on tribal grounds. We wanted to ensure we never see Kenyans shed blood again.

“We said even if we lose in the election, the important thing was to unite Kenyans,” President Kenyatta said.

He said the ICC cases would not stop the Jubilee Government from carrying on with its plans for the country. These include building roads, improving education and health, connecting electricity, creating jobs for the youth, and agriculture.

He said the Jubilee administration would work with donors to establish industries in the country.

HISTORIC

Mr Ruto said the dismissal of the President’s case was historic. “The cases were orchestrated by some people but we said we will rely on God so that the truth can come out. We thank millions of Kenyans who prayed for the President and the country.”

The DP said the President would now have time to manage the country. “I now know I have the boss who will do the work as I fight my battle. I know I will win and join him.”

He said the Kenyatta case was not withdrawn due to lack of witnesses or government’s refusal to provide evidence “but because he is innocent”.

He said they had asked Kenyans to pray for them “for the truth and liars to be known”.

On the speculation that their coalition could break, he said: “Jubilee was not formed because of Uhuru Kenyatta or William Ruto or for us to share power.”

He said their goal was to end hatred among Kenyans and unite them and their coalition would remain firm because its manifesto “does not include ICC”.

The leaders said they would continue going round the country to ask for prayers.

RESULT OF PRAYERS

Prof Kindiki said it was as a result of prayers that President Kenyatta’s case ended. “There’s nothing as reassuring as a country that watches its leaders praying. Our energy was put on God. We will not stop praying. We will continue.”

The Tharaka-Nithi senator announced that Jubilee leaders had started a campaign called Operation Ruto-Sang back from The Hague.

He said Mr Ruto should be President Kenyatta’s running mate in 2017, but the President should support him in 2022 for the top seat.

In an apparent reaction to a perception that the withdrawal of President Kenyatta’s case had elicited a lukewarm reaction in the Rift Valley, Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said the people in the region were happy but had only delayed celebrations until after Mr Ruto and Mr Sang are acquitted.

Anglican Archbishop Eliud Wabukhala prayed for an end of the Ruto and Sang case.

“We will then unite them all and celebrate,” he said.