No apology, see you in court, activist Mwangi tells Ruto
Activist Boniface Mwangi has told Deputy President William Ruto that he will not apologise and that he is ready to face him in court.
Last week the Deputy President, through his lawyers, Kilukumi & Co. Advocates, had threatened to sue the activist for a ‘libelous tweet’ that linked him (Ruto) to the death of Nairobi businessman Jacob Juma.
On Wednesday, Mr Mwangi through his Advocate Gitobu Imanyara of Gitobu Imanyara & Co wrote back to Mr Ruto’s lawyers telling them that their client (Mwangi) had instructed them he will not retract, correct, withdraw or apologise for the said tweet.
In the letter, Mr Mwangi says that the DP is a public figure and holds a state office, and therefore should be accountable to the people of Kenya and as long as he holds that office.
He further says that Mr Ruto must accept that he will attract and continue to attract not only praise where it is due but also most robust criticism for any conduct or behavior that falls below the requirements of the Leadership and Integrity provisions set out in Chapter VI of the Constitution.
“Boniface Mwangi is not only a journalist but a human rights and public interest defender who has bravely and courageously fought for the preservation of our constitutional values and bringing to account leaders who do not live by their oaths of office. He has been subjected to death threats, torture, malicious prosecution and countless intimidation all geared to silence him. He sees the threat contained in your letter as falling in this category of harassment,” the letter reads.
JUMA’S DEATH
Mwangi’s lawyer claims Mr Ruto categorically targeted him yet other prominent people like the late Juma had expressed the same fears before he was killed and also Hon Cyrus Jirongo once a close friend to (Ruto) had point a finger at him in connection to Mr Juma’s death.
In his tweet, the activist claimed that the DP wanted to kill him and those he had a right to fear for his life.
Mwangi’s lawyers have gone ahead to claim that William Ruto is a prime suspect in the ongoing investigations into the death of Jacob Juma and that by suing Mwangi, the DP was attempting to either forestall or impede the investigation of Mr Juma’s claims by a contrived excuse that the matter is in court.
Mwangi, through his lawyers, also claim that there is documented evidence the DP was acquitted after the disappearances and extra judicial killings of witnesses and potential witnesses, during his trial at the International Criminal Court at The Hague over some grave crimes including murder.
“Our client will then subject your client to robust cross examination which he, your client, was not subjected to by virtue of the termination of the case at The Hague, to show why he harbours these well founded fears that your client may want to silence him by having him killed, as Jacob Juma was,” Mwangi’s lawyers say.
The statement continues to read, “Our client will seek to persuade the court that he (Ruto) has no reputation worthy of the indulgence of a court of justice either in Kenya or elsewhere. If need be our client will call witnesses to testify that they believe and perceive your client to have been involved in corrupt practices including land grabbing.”
Mwangi, through his lawyer Gitobi Imanyara, has also filed a counterclaim against Ruto arising out of an internationally broadcast television interview in which he (Ruto) defamed and ridiculed Mwangi and sought to portray him as a drunkard who spends the night drinking and wakes up at 11am and is an unworthy citizen of the Republic of Kenya.
