I’m not to blame for William Ruto’s woes, Raila Odinga tells mourners

Raila Odinga arrives for the funeral of Mr Benjamin Kipkorir, a former ambassador to Washington DC, on May 30, 2015. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Former Prime Minister says his hands are clean on both the ICC and Mau evictions.
• Deputy President is facing multiple challenges in his Rift Valley backyard.

By PHILEMON SUTER
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Opposition leader Raila Odinga on Saturday sought to absolve himself from the International Criminal Court ICC woes facing Deputy President William Ruto as he expressed hope of working with the Rift Valley people.

Mr Odinga said he had nothing to do with the case and that he was not involved in the politics around the Mau Complex where the eviction of squatters from forests always generates intense political heat in the region.

The former Prime Minister’s comments were in response to Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen’s who had asked him to write to the ICC in favour of Mr Ruto.

Both Mr Odinga and Mr Ruto were senior members of ODM at the time of the post-election violence that led to the case.

“Now that you are here Mzee, the deputy president is still facing the ICC because of the support he offered you. We are, therefore, asking you to write to them to help vindicate him and show support,” Mr Murkomen said.

But Mr Odinga responded saying: “Sitaki maneno ya uongo ya Murkomen. Heri tuambiane ukweli. (I do not want stories peddled by the likes of Murkomen that I contributed to Ruto’s tribulations; we should speak the truth).

“I did not do all that was said in the Rift Valley. I did not participate anywhere both in the case and the evictions from Mau forest,” said Mr Odinga.

“Ruto was my good friend, why would I wish my friend is taken to jail? I was personally opposed to committing the cases to ICC and it is them who chose that route,” he said.

He added: “If you are saying it is me who took Ruto to the Hague, can’t you see the witnesses? Where are they from?”

He added: “Mnasema sasa ati mimi nilichoma Mau. Sasa si inachomeka? Ni mimi nachoma?” (You accused me of Mau forest evictions yet evictions are still being carried out today.)

The former Prime Minister was speaking in Kapcherop, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, during the burial of former Kenyan ambassador to Washington DC, Dr Benjamin Kipkorir.

Dr Kipkorir is survived by Mrs Rose Kipkorir, five children and many grandchildren. He was eulogised as a charismatic literary scholar who had a charming personality and was also a hard worker.

Mr Odinga, who spoke after Cord MP Oburu Oginga, said he wished to work with the Rift Valley people.

He also called on the government to fix the insecurity in the country.

“I have been in various parts of the country where banditry and Al-Shabaab have perpetuated endless atrocities and the government has failed to curb the run-away insecurity,” he said.

OLD FRIENDS

Dr Oburu said the Kalenjin and the Luo were good friends who worked together and, although that support went to Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013, the communities should reconsider their friendship in future.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, the man whose recent activities have rattled Mr Ruto’s men in the region, continued his Kanu crusade when he was invited to speak. “I have been on the ground and even now, travelling up to here, I didn’t use a chopper.

“I came by road through Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia up to Elgeyo-Marakwet and those I meet ask me about the cockerel, the Kanu symbol,” said Mr Moi.

Before inviting Mr Moi, Mr Murkomen claimed that Mr Moi was a greenhorn who did not even speak his native language fluently.

But Mr Moi chose to use vernacular to counter the claim.

“You should know that half of whatever Murkomen is saying is false and barely half is of substance,” said the Kanu chairman who delivered the condolences of retired President Daniel arap Moi.

The burial ceremony was also attended by former envoys including Mr Bethuel Kiplagat, Dr Sally Kosgey, and Governor Alex Tolgos, among other dignitaries.