DP Ruto lashes out at Raila for ‘politicizing’ Juba withdrawal

Deputy President William Ruto has lashed at opposition Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader, Raila Odinga, over what he termed as politicizing the national security issues.

Speaking in Ngong, Kajiado County when he presided over the destruction of illicit firearms, DP Ruto accused Odinga of making petty claims that disparaged the armed forces and trivializing national security.

“Our security personnel are experienced. They put their lives on the line to protect their motherland while out there. They do not go to peace missions to get allowances or for monetary gains. What they go for is a matter of life and death not petty issues like looking for stipends,” said Ruto.

Ruto also castigated Odinga for using the delicate matters of national security to drive short-term political interests.

“Let us not gamble with our lives by introducing partisan games in the management of security matters in the country.”

“The decision taken by Commander-in-Chief on South Sudan was well executed through the relevant channels; it is not for political engagement in funerals and public barazas,” said Ruto

On Monday, Odinga termed the decision to withdraw troops from the war-torn South Sudan as irrational, and one that would demoralize KDF soldiers who earned allowances and field experience from missions abroad.

Ruto, however, told off Odinga accusing him of being petty in his analysis of the situation, adding that Kenyan troops are not deployed for monetary reasons.

The CORD leader also faulted President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to withdraw the troops from UNMISS terming his actions unconstitutional and dictatorial.

“Dictatorship usually begins with a country’s leadership ignoring or deliberately misinterpreting the Constitution for ego missions. That is the path the President and his deputy are trying to put the country on with the outdated view of what the President can do with defence forces,” said Odinga.

In a statement to newsrooms on Monday, November 14, Odinga said that the President does not have an exclusive mandate in military matters noting that it is Parliament that has overall authority over the military.

Citing Section 238 (2) and Article 132 (e) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, Odinga said that national security is subject to the authority of the Constitution and Parliament adding that the President can only declare war with the approval of Parliament.

He called on the President to engage with the United Nations on ways to resolve the issue, instead of acting out of anger and emotions.

State House has strongly defended President Uhuru Kenyatta’s move.

In a statement Monday, State House spokesperson, ManoahEsipisu, took a swipe at Odinga over his criticism of President Kenyatta’s action saying as Commander-In-Chief, the Head of State was within his rights to recall KDF soldiers from the conflict-riddled country.

“The decision by His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta to recall the Kenya Defence Forces personnel serving in South Sudan was undertaken constitutionally; including obtaining authorization by the National Security Council acting in accordance with its mandate under Article 240 of the Constitution,” stated Esipisu.

Manoah, however, rubbished Odinga’s remarks saying his opposition to the withdrawal of Kenyan troops from South Sudan was aimed at gaining political mileage.

Already, 200 KDF soldiers, of the 1,000 who were deployed in South Sudan have returned to the country as the government makes good its threat to withdraw forces from the war-torn country.

Story by Ann Kiguta, additional reporting by Wangui Ngechu and Benjamin Wafula