The two have separately written to the international community, accusing each other of illegalities and human rights violations, exposing their deep-rooted rivalry and enmity.
In an unprecedented move, Ruto wants the major powers to sanction Raila for what Kenya Kwanza terms an "attempted coup" against his administration following Monday's violent protests.
“In line with the importance of holding those responsible for any crimes that may be committed under the guise of protests and ensuring no impunity is encouraged,” Ruto wrote in a letter by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the international community.
“...the government urges the international community to be vigilant in supporting the sanctioning of any conduct adverse to the peace and security of the country,” the letter reads.
But Raila, in a scathing rejoinder, described Ruto as an "illegitimate President" who meted out atrocities on opposition protesters during Monday’s mass action.
“We recognise the letter as a crude attempt by the Kenya Kwanza illegitimate regime to turn to the international community against Azimio and its current push to hold Mr Ruto and his regime accountable,” Azimio wrote through lawyer Makau Mutua.
The exchanges, which expose their dirty political linen, now put the country on the radar of the international community in the wake of escalated pushback against Ruto’s regime by the opposition.
The letter by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs known in diplomatic circles as a Note Verbal is addressed to all Diplomatic Missions, United Nation Agencies and International Organisations based in Kenya.
The government stated that Raila led outlawed protests on Monday, leading to injuries, massive destruction of property and general breach of peace and security.
“The opposition leader called for nationwide protests whose central purport includes having his supporters march to the seat of Kenya’s presidency, State House, oust the constitutionally elected President of the Republic of Kenya, and cause himself installed as President,” the ministry said.
The government stated that Raila led an outlawed protest on Monday, leading to injuries, massive destruction of property, general breach of peace and security.
Consequently, Raila, through the ministry, asked the international community to support the sanctioning of the opposition leader for any crimes disguised as protests.
The President told the international community that Raila was attempting to overthrow his administration which was legally elected, and whose victory was confirmed by the Supreme Court.
We know the international community based in Nairobi is aware of these sinister and undemocratic actions by Mr Ruto. Their silence concerns us. We remind them that Azimio is pursuing the ideals of democracy and human rights that many of them purport to hold dear
“Mr Odinga’s encouragement of the protesters to storm state installations, including the country’s seat of the presidency, is outright callous — even treasonous," it read.
This is the first time the Kenyan government has sought the sanctioning of the opposition leader since the 1990s when he started his fights with the establishment.
Sanctions are extreme actions taken by the major powers against rebels, warlords and graft cartels across the world.
Often, the sanctioned leaders are slapped with a travel ban to world-class countries in Europe and America.
In some instances, their assets and those of their families and close associates, including financiers abroad, are attached.
Three years ago, the US government banned former Attorney General and ex-Busia Senator Amos Wako, his wife and son from setting foot in the country over alleged involvement in corruption.
In March last year, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was also banned from visiting the US.
In 2009, four Rwandan rebel Hutu leaders – Callixte Mbarushimana, Stanislas Nzeyimana, Pacifique Ntawunguka and Leopold Mujyambere – were slapped with bans and asset freezes by the UN for their action in the Eastern DRC.
However, Raila who lost by a narrow margin of about 200,000 to President Ruto in the hotly contested August 9, 2022, general election, accused Ruto of feeding the international community with blatant lies and propaganda.
“First, we refute as false the claim in the letter that our peaceful demonstrations on March 20, 2023, was in any way illegal or outside the Constitution and the law,” Mutua said.
On Monday, Raila led protests in Nairobi, bringing business to a standstill.
On Tuesday, he announced the opposition would demonstrate every Monday and Thursday.
“In the second phase of our protest, and in response to public demand, we shall now hold the protests every Monday and Thursday, beginning next week,” he declared at a press conference in Nairobi.
Yesterday, Azimio executive council chairman Wycliffe Oparanya said they will lead processions in all 47 counties on Monday and Thursday next week and every subsequent Monday and Thursday.
“This is a notification to enable the police to provide adequate security to the demonstrators. By this notice, kindly provide adequate security,” Oparanya said in a letter to Police IG Japhet Koome.
Azimio told the international community that "Ruto’s police" carried out brutal violence against demonstrators, killing and injuring many.
The officers teargassed and unleashed water cannons on their leaders, putting the lives of Raila and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, whose cars were shot at — on the line.
“We know the international community based in Nairobi is aware of these sinister and undemocratic actions by Mr Ruto. Their silence concerns us. We remind them that Azimio is pursuing the ideals of democracy and human rights that many of them purport to hold dear,” Oparanya added.
On Wednesday, international relations experts averred that Kenya's situation will be dicey for the international community as the Constitution provides for protests that have been blamed for affecting businesses.
Mutua maintained that Ruto is an illegitimate president whose victory was sanctioned by the minority of the IEBC commissioners against four who rejected his win.
They also accused the President of throttling and killing Kenya’s fledgling democracy after instigating the withdrawal of high-profile graft cases.
“Mr Ruto is singlehandedly trying to create out of whole cloth his own IEBC so that can rig himself into power again in 2027,” Mutua said.
He added the President bulldozed changes to the law to unilaterally reconstitute the selection panel that would recruit new commissioners.
Azimio told the international community that Ruto has "packed" government offices with appointees from primarily one community.
“The 42 other Kenyan communities have been left to scramble for the scraps,” Mutua said.
