Balala says move to visit The Hague bold

By Ngumbao Kithi and Athman Amran

Cabinet minister Najib Balala has described suspended minister William Ruto as one of the most courageous individuals in Kenya.

Applauding Ruto’s move to visit The Hague to clear his name on claims of sponsoring the post election violence, Balala said, the suspended Higher Education minister was not the only person suspected of sponsoring the violence.

“There are other people and I agree with the move to go to the Hague to defend himself,” he said.

He said the visit to The Hague was going to set the record straight.

Balala wished him well in his visit to The Hague.

He said the suspended minister was his personal friend and differed with him when Ruto campaigned against the referendum.

“After winning the referendum, we shall come together and work as a team.” he said.

Elsewhere, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Hassan Omar Hassan said Ruto chose to meet the International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s investigators because he realised President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga would not protect, human rights commissioner has said.

Hassan added the Eldoret North MP is just trying to salvage his political future before 2012.

“But whether he presents himself before the ICC or not, he will eventually appear before the court,” Omar said.

Omar said the MP’s political future will be determined by the outcome of two cases, at The Hague and the criminal one he is facing back at home.

Former Kabete MP Paul Muite said although it was strategic for Ruto to present himself to the ICC it does not alter the fundamental issues.

“If there is evidence he will still be charged,” Muite said.

Human rights lawyer Harun Ndubi said although Ruto may be trying to exonerate himself by trying to meet Ocampo, incriminating others would only strengthen the case against him and others.