I will come back bigger, declares Ruto

Former Higher Education Minister William Ruto (right) shakes hands with Hellen Sambili, who takes over from him following his suspension on Tuesday. Photo/PETERSON GITHAIGA

By PETER LEFTIE, pmutibo@ke.nationmedia.com AND EMEKA-MAYAKA GEKARA,gmayaka@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Thursday, October 21 2010 at 22:15

Eldoret North MP William Ruto has blamed his tribulations on political rivals but promised to bounce back.

“The decision they took is reasonable given the circumstances. I respect it but I do not necessarily agree with it because I have not been charged with any matter of corruption,” said the suspended Higher Education minister on Thursday.

He was speaking for the first time since he was sent packing on Tuesday following a court ruling that he should stand trial over illegal sale of forest land.

Mr Ruto handed over to East African Community minister Hellen Sambili, who will hold the docket in acting capacity until the Sh272 million case is concluded.

The MP and four others are accused of illegally selling land in Ngong forest to Kenya Pipeline Company Ltd (KPC) for Sh272 million. The suspended minister allegedly received Sh96 million at various intervals during the alleged transaction.

Mr Ruto and Berke Commercial Agencies, a company associated with him, Mr Joshua Kulei, a former aide of retired President Moi, Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita and two other firms were sued for allegedly obtaining money from KPC between August 6 and September 6, 2001.

He urged the courts to expedite the trial, saying he was prepared for any outcome. “The pace of the case is entirely in the hands of the Judiciary but I hope they will expedite it so that it is decided one way or the other. But in my mind, I am a very innocent person.”

Rift Valley MPs have claimed the suspension was a ploy to block Mr Ruto from vying for the presidency in 2012. They alleged that the Judiciary could drag the case for years. The law bars people facing criminal charges from seeking or holding public office.

On Thursday, Mr Ruto introduced himself to journalists as the “former minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology”, and shrugged off questions on his future in ODM.

The MP has been at loggerheads with Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the ODM party leader, over the eviction of squatters from the Mau Forest. The Eldoret North MP, who is the second deputy party leader, also opposed the new Constitution at the referendum.

He said he would use the time out of the Cabinet to shore up his political support. “In the meantime, I want to hit the ground running, I want to take a bit of time in the gym,” he said.

Mr Ruto said the suspension would not ground him. He cited the motion of censure by Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale and investigations over the maize scandal as some of the plots by his rivals to destroy his political career.

“The decision taken did not surprise me at all. I have gone through this before.”