Ruto on the Spot As Human Rights Defenders Want Him to Apologize Over Sugar Cartels Remarks

By Samuel Ouma

Human Rights Organisations have accused President William Ruto of trying to take the country back to the dark days of repressive regime when there was no respect for human rights.

The organisations consisting of the Law Society of Kenya, Amnesty International Kenya, HAKI Africa and Kenya Human Rights Commission were referring to Ruto's warning to people who have filed cases in court over ownership and control of Mumiar Sugar Company to withdraw the cases.

The Kenyan President demanded in a speech over the weekend that the people abandon the cases or else run the possibility of going to jail or being forced to leave the nation.

The group wants President Ruto to withdraw his statement and apologize, saying the Kenyan constitution permits every person to live anywhere in the country and own property.

They said Ruto’s declaration raised concerns about his commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law.

"The declaration by the President therefore appear to suspend the ConsttMion and substitute the rule of law with the rule and wishes of the executive. This is dearly unconstitutional and an attempt to return the country to the dark days of a repressive regime that violated the human rights and freedom of the people of Kenya,” said the Human Rights Organisations in a joint statement.

According to the group, the statements undermine the court's authority and indicate a shift away from using legal dispute resolution procedures and toward removing fundamental rights through threats and intimidation.

The Law Society of Kenya said it believes Advocates will be the next target to intimidate people who represent diverse parties in the Court dispute with Mumias Sugar Company.

The society asserted that it is aware of the Kenya Revenue Authority's attempts to undermine its activities through unnecessary tax audits and investigations.

It pledged to defend the Rule of Law and take all reasonable means to fight any attempts to intimidate advocates or the Society from carrying out its purpose.

The Human Rights Defenders urged the religious leaders and all Kenyans of goodwill to condemn the attempts to return Kenya to the dark ages and departure from the rule of law.