Kenya: Executions? Never Under My Watch - President Ruto

Source: allAfrica

Nairobi -- President William Ruto has reiterated his vow when he took over office in August 2022 that extrajudicial killings and executions will never happen under his watch.

He spoke Sunday while assuring of thorough investigations into the helicopter crash that killed military chief General Francis Ogolla and nine others in Elgeyo Marakwet on Thursday last week.

"I made a commitment because it is true we have lost many Kenyans to extrajudicial Killings and executions in the past," he said, "and without any fear of contradictions, I want to state here that there will never be extrajudicial killings or executions under my watch. We will never have bodies of people in River Yala."

He was referring to bodies of people recovered from River Yala in the previous regime, who were suspected to have been executed by police, as documented by human rights organisations.

On Sunday, leaders from Nyanza called for thorough investigations into the chopper crash saying Kenyans deserve to know its cause.

In response, President Ruto said he has confidence in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) which is equally keen, like the family and Kenyans, to know the cause of the tragedy.

"I know the KDF are as concerned as the family and every Kenyan just as I am and I want to assure Kenyans that they will ensure thorough investigations to establish what happened," he told mourners in Siaya on Sunday during the burial of General Ogolla who was buried 72 hours after the Thursday accident in accordance with his wish.

Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga said the Luo community had lost various leaders to executions in the past, hence the need for thorough investigations.

"As a community here (Luo Nyanza), we have suffered tragedies where some of our sons have been assassinated. We had the likes of Tom Mboya, Robert Ouko and others and that is why we are asking for thorough investigations," he said moments after General Ogolla's son Joel said the family was satisfied that it was an accident.

"To Ogolla's son, please be patient, let us wait for investigations," Oburu said.

Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka urged the government to make public the outcome of investigations so as to put the matter to rest.

"Generals don't die. They fade away. But here we have a General who crashed in a helicopter. We urge the government to make public the report of the investigations," Kalonzo said.

Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua too said "it is important that the investigations are made public."

Siaya Governor James Orengo said the government must assure Kenyans that an open investigation will be conducted.

"I want to state without fear of contradiction that as the Luo nation we have mourned a lot of great heroes. There was Tom Mboya, Robert Ouko and others and today we are mourning General Ogolla," he said, "so all we are asking is the truth to come out."

General Ogolla who was named Chief of Defence Forces in April 2023 died in a helicopter crash in April 18, 2024 and was buried 72 hours later in accordance with his wishes.