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Our innocence set us free from ICC shackles – DP Ruto

He regretted that the unfortunate and senseless violence led to loss of life and destruction of property, and it is something Kenya must learn from and never repeat/DPPS

He regretted that the unfortunate and senseless violence led to loss of life and destruction of property, and it is something Kenya must learn from and never repeat/DPPS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 8 – Deputy President William Ruto says the ICC case against him and journalist Joshua arap Sang collapsed purely because of their innocence.

He said the whole case was a conspiracy, conceived, concocted and contrived on the basis of a cruel and malicious lie.

He regretted that the unfortunate and senseless violence led to loss of life and destruction of property, and it is something Kenya must learn from and never repeat.

“In the darkest hours of my ordeal, and now at my moment of vindication, I have not forgotten the victims of post-election violence, who suffered unimaginable trauma,” he said at a news conference on Friday.

Ruto who was accompanied by his mother, wife and two daughters said the country must now work together to complete the work of uniting and healing the nation because the suffering of the victims demands reconciliation.

“Every Kenyan who was touched by the tragedy matters. Their suffering demands that we must collectively continue on our chosen path of reconciliation and we must work to achieve harmony as a nation.”

He contends that the allegations of his involvement in planning, arming, financing and inciting people to commit acts of criminality were totally false.

He however says he has forgiven those who gave false testimony against him.

“It is my prayer that one day, those who connived, conspired and colluded to manufacture this case, those who bribed and coached people to testify to events that never took place; those who demonstrated a willingness to lie in return for personal gain and induce others to lie will engage in soul searching and find their conscience.”

He said his conviction has always been that political competition must be about ideas, solutions, programmes, policies and development, and never about suspicion, hostility, division, religion, region, ethnicity or hatred on any grounds.

“We must work together to complete the work of uniting and healing this nation. In the words of our National Prayer, we must work to ensure that we all dwell in Unity, Peace and Liberty,” he stated.

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According to the DP, the government which has already been resettling displaced victims in phases, will continue to ensure full resettlement which will be accompanied by other processes of promoting cohesion and peace.

Of importance, he said, is to ensure that the plight of the victims is addressed and also prevent occurrence of similar violence in future.

President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a Sh10 billion restoration fund which the government plans to use to fund programmes focusing on displaced persons.

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