Renowned Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has threatened to take taken legal action against President William Ruto's economic advisor David Ndii for claiming that he received money from Ruto for the Linda Katiba Initiative.
Mwangi's lawyer, James Wanjeri, has issued a demand letter to Ndii, accusing him of defamation and demanding an apology for his statements over sponsorship of their activities while working under the Linda Katiba movement that opposed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) in 2022.
At the centre of the dispute is Ndii's claim that Mwangi received payment from Ruto to support the Linda Katiba movement's engagements.
Mwangi insists that he volunteered his time and resources for the cause and never solicited money from anyone, including then Deputy President Ruto.
In response to the accusation, Mwangi declared, "I did not ask anyone for money. I was not paid anything by anyone, including William Ruto. If Ndii is ready to stand by his lies, then we will meet in court, and we will see if he has the evidence to support his lies."
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Linda Katiba is a grassroots movement that advocates for constitutional reforms in Kenya.
Mwangi has been an active participant in this movement, driven by his love for the country and his determination to fight against any form of tyranny that threatens the nation's progress.
Mwangi says his commitment to defending Kenya's constitution is rooted in the belief that it serves as the foundation for a democratic and just society.
"This constitution is the first inheritance we pass on to our children. That is why every Kenyan has a duty to defend it," he emphasised.
He reiterated his strong opposition to amendments proposed through the BBI, which was fronted by former president Uhuru Kenyatta and supported by ODM leader Raila Odinga, saying the changes aimed to benefit the wealthy and powerful to consolidate power without accountability.
"The procedure adopted by BBI proponents ignored the law and bypassed Acts of Parliament. That is why in the end, the High Court, The Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court agreed with us," Mwangi explained.
The activist expressed concern over the challenges that persist in Kenya despite the progressive provisions in the constitution.
"We have some of the most progressive Bill of Rights provisions in the world, but people still die in protests, shot by the Police," he lamented.
Mwangi highlighted the urgent need to address poverty and access to basic necessities, stating, "We have people in Kenya who cannot afford to eat, a house to live in, a job to work, and those who get sick and the hospitals lack basic necessities. We are often one illness away from poverty."
Mwangi's dedication to the cause was evident when he recalled the aspirations of Kenyans during the 2010 referendum. "Collectively, we agreed to reclaim the promise of a better Kenya," he asserted.
Expressing his disappointment in Ndii's accusations, Mwangi noted, "Before he joined Ruto’s government, Ndii was on the frontlines against tyranny and dictatorship. I considered him a brother in arms, fighting for a better Kenya. Perhaps Ndii has forgotten who he is, if we love him, we should remind him."
With the legal demand letter sent, Kenyans are awaiting Ndii's response with bated breath to establish if there is some truth to his claims on the sponsorship of the Linda Katiba movement and whether the matter will end up in the courts.
This comes as another Linda Katiba member Martha Karua, who was Raila's running mate in the 2022 General Election, also denounced the claims by Ndii.
