Witness says Ruto used ‘majimbo’ to incite hatred

What you need to know:

  • Ms Alagendra, however, questioned how Mr Ruto could have called for the eviction of the Kikuyu when there were several local and international journalists, as well as PNU supporters in the crowd.
  • He said Mr Ruto used indirect language to avoid detection by the National Intelligence Service and police officers at the meeting.

Deputy President William Ruto used the word ‘majimbo’ in 2007 to urge the Kalenjin to chase away the Kikuyu.

This was the evidence of Witness P-0743 during his cross-examination on Thursday. He also said Mr Ruto changed the meaning of the word to appear as though he were calling for devolution.

During an interview with the Office of the Prosecutor on January 19, he said Mr Ruto had said during a fundraising on October 15, 2007: “We have no reason to follow the Kikuyu and if necessary we will drive them out.”

Asked by Mr Ruto’s lawyer Shyamala Alagendra whether her client was referring to President Kibaki and other PNU leaders, the witness said Mr Ruto meant all Kikuyus in the Rift Valley.

AVOID DETECTION

Ms Alagendra, however, questioned how Mr Ruto could have called for the eviction of the Kikuyu when there were several local and international journalists, as well as PNU supporters in the crowd.

The 29th witness said Mr Ruto spoke in Nandi, using the word ‘majimbo’ to mean devolution to outsiders, but his supporters understood it to mean “chasing of the Kikuyu from the region”.

He said Mr Ruto used indirect language to avoid detection by the National Intelligence Service and police officers at the meeting.

The witness was questioned over an apparent change of testimony. “What I have just read to you are recorded transcripts of what you told investigators and now you are saying you did not say those words,” said Ms Alagendra.

He was asked to say why he did not say Mr Ruto used the word ‘majimbo’ during cross-examination until a statement he made earlier was shown to him.