Deputy President William Ruto on Wednesday, July 20, refuted claims by the Azimio la Umoja brigade that his 2,500-acre-ranch in Taita Taveta County was illegally acquired.
Addressing a rallies in Taveta and Voi towns, Ruto noted that he had the documents to show proof that he acquired the land procedurally.
In a rejoinder, the Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate also challenged his political opponents to explain how they allegedly acquired over 100,000 acres of land in the Coastal region.
“Instead of intimidating me over my legally acquired property, let them also tell us how they acquired over 100,000 acres of land in the Coast region. I have documents showing how I got my land in the region and let them also show Kenyans the receipts of their land in the region.”
"My competitors should stop talking about my 2,500 acres of land. I have receipts from the person who sold the land to me. Let them (Azimio) show the receipts from the people who sold the huge chunks of land to them in the region,” he stated.
Dr Ruto affirmed that he legally bought the ranch from former Taveta MP Basil Criticos.
Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho had vowed to repossess the ranch should the Azimio la Umoja form the next government after August 9 polls.
Joho, who was promised the lands docket by the former premier, Raila Odinga, added that there would be no need for investigations in taking over the piece of land.
"In Raila's government, no investigations will be done, that land has been grabbed and it shall be returned to the rightful owners," Joho stated.
Suna East lawmaker and Azimio Secretary General, Junet Mohamed had also weighed in on the matter, urging the security forces to establish how the DP acquired the land whose ownership has also been claimed by a section came to own the land that has also been claimed by a section of locals.
The legality of the purchase of the Taita Taveta ranch has been called into question on numerous occasions by Raila who called upon the DP to relinquish the land.
“We have many squatters in this region, why did not he buy the land and distribute it to the locals here?" Odinga posed.
