Ruto Taken To Court Over 'Mambo Ni Matatu' Remarks

Close to one week after President William Ruto's infamous 'Mambo Ni Matatu' remarks turned him into an internet celebrity, the Head of State has been sued in court.

Operation Linda Jamii on Tuesday, September 5 filed a petition at the Milimani-based High Court against the President through the Attorney General's Office over his remarks widely viewed as threats towards tycoons with interests in Kenya's sugar industry.

The lobby group argued that the President's remarks amounted to death threats by a Head of State who is supposed to be a symbol of national unity.

The group wants the President to retract his comments and issue an official and unconditional apology over the remarks, warning that they could create a perception that Kenya undermines judicial independence to the point that any rule of law can be disregarded.

“The President’s impugned utterances not only amount to death threats but also undermine the principles of the rule of law and separation of powers doctrines and the systems of checks and balances contemplated in the constitution,” the petition read in part. 

“The President’s comments if not retracted and an official unconditional apology proffered, will create a perception in the Republic of Kenya that undermines judicial independence by dint and will also see the rule of law disrespected without a recourse."

While acknowledging that issues affecting the sugar sector required immediate intervention from relevant powers, Operation Linda Jamii submitted that the direction that the Head of State took was a dangerous and populist way to address the concerns.

Linda Jamii thus requested the court to issue a declaration that President Ruto’s remarks are a violation of the constitution and apologise to Kenyans.

"A writ of mandamus be and is hereby issued directing and compelling the Respondent(Attorney General) to advise the President of the Republic of Kenya and/or the Presidency to proffer an unconditional public apology to the people of Kenya for the unfortunate utterances made during the tour of Kenya's sugar belt," the petition added.

On why the group was taking the attorney general to court instead of Ruto, it explained, “The attorney general is the principal legal advisor to the National Government.”

“He represents the government in court or in any other legal proceedings to which the National Government is a party to.”

The group also cited in their petition the decision by billionaire Jaswant Singh Rai to withdraw a case challenging the leasing of the Mumias Sugar Company at the Appellate Court, wondering whether the move was done voluntarily or as a response to the threats.

Neither the President nor Attorney General Justin Muturi had responded to the matter by the time of publishing this article.

Speaking at the Kenya Medical Training College in Navakholo, Kakamega County on Thursday, August 30, a defiant Ruto reiterated that he would not allow the individuals to bring down the sugar industry when he was making inroads to revive it and regulate it in the process.

Ignoring the backlash he faced over his 'waende mbinguni' remarks, Ruto repeated the three options he earlier this week laid on the table to the cartels; to either flee the country, risk jail terms or 'go to heaven'.

"They have filled in so many words in the newspapers I don't know LSK have said this, Azimio people have said that, let me repeat so that they listen properly.

"Corrupt officials, cartels and thieves, those misusing public coffers have destroyed Mumias and Nzoia companies because everything has become a mess and then they are coming here and pretending. They should leave Kenya, and if they don't leave, we will jail them, and if they continue, they should make plans to go to heaven," he added, much to the cheers of the crowd.