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DP Ruto threatens legal action on Jirongo over Jacob Juma comment


Deputy President William Ruto has threatened to take legal action against former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo for remarks he made during the requiem mass of slain Nairobi businessman Jacob Juma.

During the mass, Mr Jirongo and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale made remarks critical of the DP. Cord co-principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula claimed that Juma’s death was orchestrated by the State as he was whistleblower on various scandals.

Now, Mr Ruto’s legal team say they are studying the comments.

Here is the full statement sent to newsrooms by Korir Sing’Oei, Ruto’s Legal Advisor:

The Deputy President has noted with concern the comments attributed particularly to Mr Cyrus Jirongo made today, Thursday the 12th May 2016 during the memorial service of the late Jacob Juma.

Mr Jirongo made two statements of concern: First, he stated that the killers of Meshack Yebei, a prospective defence witness at the just concluded trial of the Deputy President at the International Criminal Court, were the same persons who killed Jacob Juma.

NO PHYSICAL CONTACT

Second, he stated, “Juma slapped Ruto. That’s is where the problem started and investigations should start there.” Taken together, Hon Jirongo’s statements carry the patent insinuation that Mr Ruto was involved in the deaths of both Mr Yebei and Mr Juma.

Such a claim against the Deputy President would not only be false, unfounded, malicious, mischievous and without basis in fact, but also serves to malign and besmirch the character of the Deputy President and lower the reputation of his person and office in the most defamatory and unjustified fashion.

His Excellency William Ruto is further categorical that he never had any physical contact with the late Jacob Juma and the allegation that the deceased slapped him could therefore never have arisen.

We are reviewing the full transcripts of the reckless, malicious and defamatory statements made at the memorial of the late Juma by Mr Jirongo and others.

Given the potentially defamatory character of the narrative aforesaid, it follows that parties that perpetuate the dissemination, publication or circulation of this narrative will not escape legal culpability.