This archive report was first published on 30 October 2021.
Published on October 30, 2021, Deputy President William Ruto has donated his 15,000-acre Laikipia ranch, a move that comes as his allies demand the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces to restore peace in the region.
Speaking on September 9, 2021, the Deputy President noted that since it had been disclosed to the National Security and Administration committee that he owns the land, he was willing to donate it.
Dr. Ruto instructed the government to have the 15,000 acres of land at the Laikipia's Mutara ranch distributed, and gave an express authority to Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i to have the ranch subdivided and given back to the public as grazing land.
“They said I own land in Laikipia. Since they said I own the land, I have given them authority to distribute it to members of the public,” DP Ruto stated.
He further challenged the Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai to concentrate on his sworn duty of providing security to every Kenyan and be apolitical.
“IG of police should keep off politics because his job is independent in the Constitution. He has been given the mandate to oversee security matters and he is putting the country at risk as he engages in politics instead of his designated duties,” the DP added.
His allies, led by Mathira Member of Parliament Rigathi Gachagua, have called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to deploy the military in Laikipia to stop the senseless killings and displacement of the population.
“I am calling on our President who is also the Commander-in-Chief to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces in Laikipia to stop the senseless killings and displacement of the population… Let us deploy the military in Laikipia as early as tomorrow morning,” the statement read in part.
