Deputy President William Ruto’s mother has narrated how she regularly prays and fasts for her son’s crimes against humanity case at the ICC to be dropped.
Speaking at a prayer meeting in Eldoret town on Saturday, Sarah Samoei said she sympathises with Ruto.
She blamed the media for frequenting her home to talk about Ruto, yet it “played a role” in taking the DP to the The Hague.
“At times I’m forced to chase them away because there is no need for them to come to my home, yet they took Ruto to the Hague,” Samoei said.
She said she is grateful to Kenyans who have been praying for Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang over the cases.
Samoei urged Kenyans to forgive each other over the 2007-08 post-election violence and move on.
“Whenever my son goes to The Hague, I tie a belt around my stomach and pray without taking food or water,” she said.
Samoei said at one time, Ruto joked about her not eating well, yet she was not the one facing trial at the ICC.
“He laughed at me and said I should not be worried because he eats and sleeps well,” she said.
Samoei said she told Ruto that it was painful for her to see him go through the trial.
“However, Ruto just laughed off,” she said.
The DP’s mother was speaking at Huruma grounds, where she attended prayers organised by bishops and Kenyans for Peace Initiative to pray for post-election violence victims, Ruto and Sang.
Samoei thanked religious leaders who pray for the country and urged Kenyans to reconcile and forgive each other because “God has forgiven the country”.
She said corruption is ruining the country’s economy.
“Those of us who live in the rural areas hear about corruption and money being stolen. We wonder who is stealing the money, yet we need roads and other projects in the rural areas,” Samoei said.
She urged the government to address farmers’ challenges by strengthening the National Cereals and Produce Board.
Samoei said all Kenyans are welcome to live and work in Eldoret town.
The politicians were not allowed to speak at the meeting.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, MPs Elisha Busienei and Joseph Kiuna, speaker Isaac Terer and TNA patron Joseph Wainaina attended the prayer meeting.
