Group seeks signatures to support ICC

By Beauttah Omanga
A group of Kenyans is out to collect one million signatures from registered voters to oppose an attempt by MPs to withdraw the country from the Rome Statute.
The group is targeting 5,000 voters from each constituency, signing a declaration in support of the International Criminal Court (ICC) process.
But as the group made its intentions known, Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto said he would press on with a Bill to withdraw Kenya from the ICC.
MPs Adan Duale, Joshua Kuttuny and Julius Kones said the move to pull Kenya out was in "good faith in preference to local solutions".
In a statement on Sunday, the group seeking signatures said it would partner up with like-minded Kenyans and arrange for pro-ICC campaigns on radio, TV, newspapers and Internet.
National accordThe group has set February 28 as the deadline for those willing to participate to append their signatures.
Meanwhile, civil society groups are demanding a statement from President Kibaki over plans by MPs to withdraw Kenya from the Rome Statute.
Kituo Cha Sheria, International Centre for Policy and Conflict, the Haki Focus and the Law Society of Kenya separately said the country needed to hear Kibaki’s word on the debate.
LSK chairman Kenneth Akide said such a move was not in the interest of the nation. "Kibaki should give the way forward," said Priscilla Nyokabi of Kituo Cha Sheria.
Haki Focus Director Harun Ndubi said the repeal of the ICC Act would signify Parliament was acting against the wish of Kenyans. Director of the International Centre for Policy and Conflict Ndung’u Wainaina accused the Executive and MPs of colluding to defeat the ICC course of justice.