Speaking on Monday, Shollei described the allegations as misleading and unfair, arguing that they distort historical facts surrounding the tragic incident in which dozens of people lost their lives after a church in Kiambaa, near Eldoret, was torched.
Shollei said blaming Ruto for the attack solely because he was the Member of Parliament for Eldoret North at the time was inaccurate and ignored key details about his whereabouts and role during the disputed election period.
According to the Deputy Speaker, Ruto was not present in Eldoret when the Kiambaa church attack occurred on January 1, 2008.
Instead, she stated that he was in Nairobi at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), where he was actively involved in national political processes.
“President Ruto was in Nairobi at the time, at KICC, defending Raila Odinga’s presidential vote tally. It is wrong to suggest that he was involved in the Kiambaa tragedy simply because he was an MP from the region,” Shollei said.
She noted that Ruto was a senior member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) during the 2007 General Election and played a prominent role in challenging the presidential results announced by the Electoral Commission of Kenya.
Shollei emphasised that his focus during that period was on national political engagement rather than events unfolding at the local level in Eldoret.
The Deputy Speaker warned that repeated attempts to link the President to the Kiambaa church attack were driven more by political motives than by facts or evidence.
She cautioned against the misuse of painful national tragedies to advance political narratives, arguing that such actions reopen wounds for victims and survivors of post-election violence.
“Using such a painful chapter in our history for political gain is irresponsible. It retraumatises families who lost loved ones and undermines national healing,” she said.
Shollei stressed that accountability for the 2007–2008 violence must be anchored in evidence, proper investigations, and respect for the rule of law, rather than assumptions tied to political office or geographical representation.
She reminded Kenyans that the post-election violence was widespread, affecting several parts of the country, and involved numerous actors operating under complex circumstances.
“It is misleading to isolate one individual without proof when the violence was national in scope and involved many different players,” she added.
Her remarks come amid renewed public and political debate around historical injustices, as Kenya continues to reflect on the legacy of the post-election violence while navigating current political realignments.
Shollei urged political leaders, commentators, and citizens to exercise restraint and responsibility when discussing sensitive historical events, noting that careless rhetoric risks deepening divisions.
She called for a focus on unity, truth, and reconciliation, saying the country must continue learning from its past without manipulating history for political convenience.
“Kenya can only move forward if we confront our history honestly, but also responsibly. Healing comes from truth and justice, not from rewriting events to suit present-day politics,” she said.
The Deputy Speaker maintained that national conversations on past violence should prioritise the experiences of victims and survivors while strengthening institutions meant to prevent a repeat of such events.
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