DP Ruto Defends Self on His Alleged Insatiable Appetite for Land

On Tuesday night, Deputy President William Ruto defended himself against the notion that he has a “good appetite for land.”

The Kenya Kwanza flagbearer outlined how each parcel he owns was legally acquired.

“Allegations are made left, right and centre, but every piece of land that I have has been legally acquired,” the DP said.

Dr Ruto took the chance to explain how he acquired the contentious land in Turbo, Uasin Gishu that was previously owned by Adrian Muteshi when the land topic came up during the presidential debate.

Read: DP Ruto Confirms Presidential Debate Attendance

“[On Muteshi land] I was a victim of land fraudsters who sold the land to me. Those people are in court. What the court ordered me to do was to pay for the three years I had occupied the land and they calculated and said the income from this land would be approximately Sh5 million for three years and that’s what I paid” he explained.

Dr Ruto made fun of Raila Odinga, the Azimio presidential candidate, by pointing out that he, too, had been the target of claims involving property.

“Even my competitor, the Dominion and Molasses lands (In Siaya and Kisumu respectively) have been mentioned about him. Does that make you guilty? Not at all,” Dr Ruto said.

He bemoaned the fact that he was most likely the only politician in Kenya who had gone through multiple audits.

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“I am probably that politician in Kenya who has been audited left right, upside down, inside out on any matter. This should be enough. Maybe because I have raised my head beyond what many people think I should. If I was a quiet business person, I’m sure I wouldn’t attract the kind of labelling that I have been subjected to,” the DP said.

Dr Ruto has repeatedly been questioned on how he came into possession of his property, including the 2,500 acres he owns in Taita Taveta, the Joseph Murumbi-owned land in Trans Mara, and the plot on which the Weston Hotel, which is connected to him, is located.

On why Raila opted out of the debate, the DP said it was because he is just but a “project”.

He opined that the former prime minister was not the real candidate in the upcoming elections.

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“My competitor is not here because he is not the real candidate. He is a project. He has not come for debate because he is dodging difficult questions,” Dr Ruto said. 

He added: “My competitor is not here because he doesn’t have a plan. He doesn’t have an agenda. He cannot articulate anything to the people of Kenya that’s why he is not here.”

By boycotting the debate, Dr Ruto, the Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate, accused Raila of having “absolutely little regard for the people of Kenya.”

“They think deep State and the system is going to make the decision. I want to tell the people of Kenya tonight that they are the ones who will make the decision on August 9 and that their vote is what will make the next government happen.”