Deputy President William Ruto sues five Cord leaders over Karen land remarks

Deputy President William Ruto during the launch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Strategic Plan and the Diaspora Web Portal at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi on October 29, 2014. He has sued five Cord leaders for defamation. PHOTO SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP  

In Summary

• Mr Ruto is seeking an order compelling the defendants to apologise over the remarks that linked him to the alleged grabbing scandal of land in Karen.
• Last week, Mr Ruto wrote the Cord leaders demanding an apology and a retraction of the statement that they signed.

By PAUL OGEMBA
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Deputy President William Ruto has sued five Cord leaders over statements they made linking him to the Karen land saga.

The Deputy President has sued senators Johnson Muthama (Machakos), James Orengo (Siaya), Bonny Khalwale (Kakamega), Elizabeth Ongoro (nominated) and Suna MP Junet Mohamed for defamation.

In the suit, filed by Kilukumi and Company Advocates, Mr Ruto is seeking an order compelling the defendants to apologise over the remarks that linked him to the alleged land grabbing scandal.

He is also seeking an injunction barring the Cord leaders from publishing or disseminating statements linking him to the Karen land saga.

Mr Ruto is also seeking damages for defamation.

Last week, Mr Ruto wrote the Cord leaders demanding an apology and a retraction of the statement that they signed purporting that he was among top Jubilee officials who have benefitted from the Sh8 billion land in Karen, Nairobi.

(READ: Ruto threatens to sue Cord leaders over Karen land claims)

He gave them seven days to retract their statement, stating that they would face legal action if they didn't recant the remarks.