Sonko, US-based Bishop Attempt To Broker Truce Between Uhuru, Ruto

Last year, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko unsuccessfully attempted to mediate a truce between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his estranged deputy William Ruto.

Sonko, and a Kenyan bishop residing in the United States tried to broker a ceasefire between the two leaders.

In November, the former county chief and Bishop Donald Kisaka Mwawasi petitioned the court for orders compelling Attorney-General Paul Kihara Kariuki to start a mediation process between the duo.

The petition is still pending at the Milimani High Court’s Constitutional and Human Rights Division.

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The former Makadara MP had suggested a retired African statesman, retired Supreme Court Judge or Court of Appeal from East Africa or a retired cardinal of Catholic Church of East Africa be the assigned mediator.

Through lawyer John Khaminwa, they claimed that the AG had failed to protect and represent the public interest.

“The AG’s failure to take measures to initiate, encourage or advise the government on the need for reconciliatory and mediation measures is in violation of Article 156 of the Constitution to safeguard the public interest,” court documents show.

The petitioners expressed their dissatisfaction at the way the President and his deputy were getting along.

Read Also: President Uhuru Breaks Silence on Ruto “Slap”

 “It is not in doubt that the President is not working harmoniously since the public declaration by the deputy to rise to the presidency in the 2022 General Election,” they submitted.

Mr Khaminwa also stated that due to the disagreements, Dr Ruto had been absent from important government gatherings, including the bilateral meeting between Kenya and Estonia at State House, where President Kenyatta and Cabinet secretaries were present.

They noted that, in contrast to the Deputy President’s constitutionally mandated function, the President nominated Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to lead a group made up of all CSs to coordinate government initiatives.

“… this is dangerous for the prevailing peace and tranquility in the country and cannot be taken lightly,” said Dr Khaminwa.

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He said that failed attempts to mediate the two had prompted the petition. He claimed that earlier attempts, which were unsuccessful, were started in April 2020 by Cardinal (rtd) John Njue and other clergymen.

“Other attempts to mediate or address the issues between the President and his deputy have been tackled by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, a State body mandated to promote national unity, previously warned that continuing with the ‘hustler vs dynasties’ line risked deepening class divisions and plunging the country into chaos,” said Dr Khaminwa.

He said that the “handshake” on March 9, 2018, between President Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga escalated the conflict, leading to the Head of State asking Dr Ruto to resign from his role as deputy leader of the Jubilee party.

According to Dr Khaminwa, the AG must see to it that Article 156(6) of the Constitution—which specifies that the AG “must promote, safeguard and uphold the rule of law and defend the public interest”—is actually put into effect.

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He continued by saying that if the political disagreements between Mr Kenyatta and Dr Ruto are left unresolved, there is a risk that they would spark political unrest.

The petitioners are relying on the ruling of the 2017 mediation between Gambian President Adama Barrow and his predecessor Yahya Jammeh to persuade the court to grant the orders.

Ernest Bai Koroma, the president of Sierra Leone, was chosen as the mediator by the Economic Community of West African States and the Gambia AG.

Last week, the DP told KTN News that his boss declined a request by the clergy to have a sit-down with him.

“Bishops talked to me, they talked to the president. When they came back to me I told them I want to have a chat with my boss, but he refused. He flatly refused. He denied the bishop a chance for me to have a talk with him. Ask ACK bishop Ole Sapit,” said the presidential hopeful.