“It’s Wrong to Blame Ruto,” Shollei Hits Back at Opposition Over Kiambaa Claims

Gladys Shollei has come out strongly to defend President William Ruto against claims linking him to the Kiambaa church massacre during the 2007 post-election violence.

Shollei argued it is unfair to blame Ruto simply because he was then an MP representing Eldoret. She noted that Ruto had no direct involvement in the tragic events.

She reminded Kenyans that during the period of the church attack, Ruto was at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) representing Jubilee in legal battles over the vote count.

“Attacking Ruto for what happened in Kiambaa is misplaced,” Shollei said, adding that the opposition is using the issue to gain political mileage ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to Shollei, the narrative linking Ruto to the massacre is politically motivated and aims to distract from ongoing government achievements in security and development.

She insisted that holding Ruto accountable for events in a region where he had no jurisdiction is factually incorrect and unjust to his leadership record.

Shollei also noted that many key leaders were engaged in post-election crises mediation while Ruto focused on legal representation for his party, Raila Odinga's opponents notwithstanding.

She urged Kenyans to differentiate between personal responsibility and political rhetoric, emphasizing the importance of objective analysis of history.

“The blame game only deepens divisions in our country and misleads the public,” Shollei said, highlighting the dangers of politicizing past national tragedies.

Shollei’s comments come amid renewed debates by opposition figures seeking to hold President Ruto accountable for the 2007 post-election violence incidents.

She believes that such attacks undermine national unity and are meant to influence voter perceptions, especially in Mount Kenya and Rift Valley regions.

The former commissioner called for a focus on reconciliation, justice, and learning from past mistakes rather than assigning unfair blame to leaders who played no part in the violence.

Shollei concluded that political gains should never come at the expense of historical truth, urging both politicians and media to handle sensitive topics responsibly.

Observers say her defense may strengthen Ruto’s narrative of fairness and leadership integrity as he positions for the 2027 elections.

Kenya’s political landscape remains charged, and statements like Shollei’s are expected to fuel discussions around accountability, history, and electoral influence.