President William Ruto on Saturday, January 14, while in Kisumu delivered a heartfelt message to outspoken lawyer Miguna Miguna.
The Head of State apologized to the lawyer, according to statements released by the lawyer himself and Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi.
Miguna’s dramatic deportation to Canada by the previous administration, in which Ruto served as Deputy President is what triggered the apology.
“I am sorry for what the government did to you, it was unfair and on behalf of the government I apologize to you,” the President told Miguna according to Itumbi.
Miguna, a former aide of ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga, acknowledged the President’s apology and added that he wholeheartedly accepted the apology.
“President William Ruto apologized to me on his behalf and on behalf of the government.
“The apology was because of the brutality that was inflicted upon me by the previous administration. I have accepted the apology,” the outspoken lawyer stated.
Miguna was deported on February 6, 2018, in what his lawyer termed as injustice and violation of the Constitution. The then President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime exiled Miguna for administering a mock oath during the swearing in of Odinga on January 30, 2018.
“Yes, Miguna was deported by the government. He was forced into a flight heading to Canada few minutes to 10 pm which is such a travesty of justice,” Miguna’s lawyer John Khaminwa remarked then.
Ruto in a later statement to international media remarked that he did not agree with his deportation and promised once he became president, he would facilitate his return to Kenya.
"We will bring Miguna back in the country within the shortest time possible because he is a Kenyan and he has not committed any crime.
“Even if he has, we have laws in place that he would be tried against,” the President vowed on March 4, 2022.
The red alerts that were imposed against the lawyer were lifted by the President and Miguna was able to return home in October 20, 2022 having spent three years in exile.
The January 14, meeting was the second public encounter between the President and Miguna.
Immediately after jetting into the country, Miguna attended the October 20, Mashujaa celebrations held in Kasarani and subsequent luncheon at State House, Nairobi.
