Deputy President William Ruto has said his political opponents should not target the innocent.
He was referring to Sergaent Kipyegon Kenei, whose body was found in his home on February 20.
Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti said Kenei was murdered and made to look like he committed suicide.
Speaking at Kenei’s funeral in Chamasis, Nakuru, on Saturday, Ruto said his detractors planned the meeting at his office over the fake Sh39 billion arms tender deal. Kenei’s death has been linked to the arms tender.
The DP linked his political opponents to the fake arms deal that led to Kenei’s death.
Kenei was a high profile witness in the Sh39b fake arms deal, implicating former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa and three others.
He added that those who killed Kenei are the same who planned the arms deal meeting in his office and did not want the soldier to spill the beans on what took place.
“I am aware there is a scheme orchestrated to demean my office and ensure I do not get anywhere,” the DP told mourners.
“Those executing the scheme to undermine my office to stop me may have the system, but we have God.”
Ruto urged Kinoti to get to the truth of the murder and leave out politics in the investigations.
“For political reasons, the DCI is being used to undermine my office … saying Ruto will not be there in 2022.”
The DP said his office has no relationship with the Department of Defence over gun procurement.
He criticised the attention given to the Office of the Deputy President, and not the individuals involved in the scheme.
“Kill me if you want, but I will not back down over the schemes and threats. I’m ready for it,” Ruto stated.
Later he later took to twitter :
William Samoei Ruto, PhD @WilliamsRuto: The DCI has been mobilised,for political reasons,to discredit & destroy my office with all manner NONSENSE and to bring me down. Those in this scheme are boasting that I will not be there soon. Since the system cannot elect anybody, they can only kill. But there is GOD in heaven.
The DP further urged Kenei’s father John Chesang to remain calm and allow investigators to do their job.
He promised to look into Kenei’s compensation to his widow and children.
Chesang asked the government to ensure the truth about his son’s murder is not covered up.
“I urge all officers in this country to do their duties without fear. Work diligently and the truth will always stand with and for you. We expect transparency in the investigations without any form of cover up for the sake of any other officer who may be working in such a risky environment,” he said.
DP Ruto also revealed the last conversation he had with Kenei.
“Jumatatu hiyo wakati nilifika kwa ofisi, nikaita yule anayesimamia ulinzi katika ofisi ya majengo ya naibu wa rais Bw. Joseph Rop ambaye ni Commissioner wa Police, na nikamuita yule ambaye anasimamia escort katika hiyo ofisi Bw. William Yampoi…wote wawili walikuja kwa ofisi yangu. Nilitaka kujua ni jambo gani ilitendeka Alhamisi iliyopita,” he said.
“Hawa wawili walikuja wakaniambia ilitokea hivi, mpaka wakaniletea CCTV. Mimi nikaita Kenei na wenzake wawili ambaye wanafanya kazi pamoja. Wakasimama mbele yangu pale ofisini,” DP Ruto added.
Dr. Ruto further revealed that he questioned the three officers to explain what had transpired on the day that former Sports CS Rashid Echesa was seen at his office with two foreigners.
“Kenei akaniambia ya kwamba ni kweli, yeye anajuana na Bw. Echesa…alikuwa amepigiwa simu na kuambiwa Echesa na wenzake waliokuja kwa ofisi yangu walikuwa na appointment…ndio akawaruhusu waje katika waiting room,” the DP said.
According to Dr. Ruto, Kenei’s colleagues corroborated what he said and they agreed that since investigations were underway, they would all go to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to record statements.
The Deputy President said that was the last time he spoke to Sgt. Kenei.
Dr. Ruto said he worked from his Karen office on Tuesday and Wednesday.
He told mourners that he returned to the Harambee Annex office on Thursday at around 10am and summoned the two security bosses he had spoken with on Monday.
“Nilitaka kujua progress ya vile uchunguzi inaendelea kwa sababu yale yalikuwa yamefanyika katika ofisi yangu kwamba eti kuna kandarasi fake ambaye ililetwa ikasign-iwa kwenye ofisi yangu…na ikaniweka matope nyingi…nilikuwa ninataka kujua ukweli wa hayo maneno ni gani,” the DP said.
The two security bosses reportedly briefed him and then revealed that Sgt. Kenei had not appeared at the DCI offices to record his statement and his phone was off.
They also apparently told the DP that they had started searching for Kenei.
“Mimi mwenyewe nikachukua simu nikauliza huyu Kenei…kwa sababu sikujua huyu Kenei ni mtoto wa Mzee Chesang….huyu Mzee Chesang na Waziri Chelugui wamekuja mpaka nyumbani kwangu Sugoi…lakini sikujua uhusiano wao….nikaambiwa huyu kijana anatoka Solai,” he said.
“Mtu wa kwanza ambaye najua anatoka Solai katika mawazo yangu ni huyu kijana Nixon….pia nilimlea ofisini…wakati alitoka university…alikuja akafanya kazi ofisini kwangu…nikamtafuta nikamwambia kama unajua Kenei…naambiwa ofisini kwamba amepotea…hajapatikana…tafadhali kama unamjua tafuta watu wao,” the DP said.
Dr. Ruto said it is at that moment that he discovered that Kenei was the nephew to CS Chelugui and he called him to inform him what had happened.
The CS told Dr. Ruto that he would also make calls and try to find out where Kenei could be.
“Baadaye, baada ya masaa mawili matatu nikapata kujua ya kwamba huyu kijana Kenei ameuwawa,” the DP said.
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