The defamation suit filed by Deputy President William Ruto against activist Boniface Mwangi promises to be a legal duel of gigantic proportions. It already is.
Ruto sued Mwangi after the activist refused to apologize and retract a tweet where he claimed Ruto murdered businessman Jacob Juma.
Juma’s murder remains a mystery with police failing to nab the criminals. Juma, before he died, said Ruto was the one obsessed with killing him.
He was found dead by the road, with numerous bullet holes all over his body.
Ruto, who has never won any case without witness interference, may end up chewing more than he can swallow. Already, legal analysts have advised the Deputy President to reconsider the case and seek an out of court settlement, something the DP is said to be highly considering now that the case has taken a political angle he didn’t expect.
But the obstinate Mwangi will look at that at it as the first victory, and make more mortal blows. Mwangi is out expose Ruto not just as a corrupt person person but someone not worth a reputation to eat into judiciary ‘s precious time.
Sources privy to Mwangi’s legal strategy say as many as 10 top lawyers are already working on the case. The activist is said to have made contacts with ICC witnesses who braved the torment and denigration to testify against Ruto, many who still believe justice was not served at the ICC as the case collapsed under heavy witness interference.
Meshack Yebei, among others, was killed in cold blood.
Mwangi’s legal team is headed by advocate Gitobu Imanyara while DP Ruto picked Kioko Kilukumi. Top Luyha leaders have indicated they are considering to be enjoined in the case in order to get justice for the slain Bukusu businessman.
Ruto has also roped in Katwa Kigen, with sources saying his ICC team headed by Karim Khan may join the case should matters to do with the ICC arise.
