By Eugene OkumuDeputy President William Ruto has threatened to sue Cord leaders who implicated him in the disputed 134 acres Karen land saga unless they retract the claims and apologise with seven days from Friday 24, 2014.
Ruto through his lawyers Kilukumi and Co. said the content of the statement read by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale accompanied by Siaya Senator James Orengo, Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama, nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro, and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, has caused him injury.
"As a result of the publication and broadcast of the contents of the statement, our client has been greatly injured in his credit, status and reputation," Ruto's lawyers said.
Ruto denied ownership or awareness of the property in Karen valued at Sh8 billion that is the subject of an ownership row before the High Court.
"Our client neither owns a single inch of the land in question nor is he involved in any manner whatsoever with the disputed parcel of land . Furthermore, our client neither knows of its status : private or public nor its history or acquisition or allocation," Ruto's lawyers added.
Ruto further said that owing to the ridicule, hatred, contempt and humiliation he has suffered since the sensational press statement made on October 16, he expects a retraction, correction of facts and an apology from the five Cord leaders.
The DP further added that he expects unconditional and full admission of libel within seven days.
Ruto, Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Inspector General David Kimaiyo and CID Director Muhoro Ndegwa were sensationally named as some of the beneficiaries of the controversial grabbing of 134 acres in Karen.
Khalwale, Orengo, Ongoro, Muthama and Mohammed addressed the media in Nairobi and named the seven as the "architects in the monumental and unprecedented" land grab in Karen.
Others named were Lands Secretary Charity Ngilu, her personal assistant James Mbaluka, and Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko.
The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission summoned the five Cord legislators to present evidence to prove their allegations but they snubbed the summons.
The owner of the land lawyer businessman Horatio Da Gama Rose obtained orders to evict developers who had begun work on the Sh8 billion tract of land. The property is now under 24 hour surveillance after Langata OCPD effected the court order.