MPs urge Kibaki not to lead Kenya out of Rome Statute

By PETER ATSIAYA
Seven ODM MPs want President Kibaki to block efforts by some of their colleagues to pressure him into having Kenya pull out of the Rome Statute.
Led by Education Assistant Minister Ayiecho Olweny and Kisumu Town West MP Olago Aluoch, the MPs said in separate interviews that Kibaki should not initiate the process.
Other MPs with similar sentiments include Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga), Fred Outa (Nyando), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu Town East), Oyugi Magwanga (Kasipul Kabondo) and Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda).
Mr Olago explained that Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto’s Motion, which Parliament adopted, was urging the Government to pull out of the Rome Statute and not compelling it to do so.
"The passing of the Motion does not compel Kibaki to initiate the process of withdrawing from the statute," said Olago.
Too little too late
He added that MPs who are opposed to The Hague trials should have brought a Motion seeking to repeal the International Crimes Act for their case to be strong.
"Isaac Ruto was ill advised on which Motion to table in Parliament," he added.
Prof Olweny noted that the spirited campaign by their colleagues were bad for Kenya’s struggle to end impunity.
"They should stop unorthodox means of having the country out of the Rome Statute. Let them help the suspects compile their defence ahead of the legal battle at The Hague," he added.
Outa, Chanzu and Shakeel said the attempts were too little too late, as the cases against the ‘Ocampo Six’ would still go on.
Magwanga and Gumbo said Kenyans relied on Kibaki to stop efforts by selfish leaders to have the country withdraw from the Rome Statute.
Two weeks ago, Parliament adopted the Motion pulling Kenya from the obligations of the Rome Statute.
But in a later interview, Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo warned the MPs were making a big mistake.
"This is the single most dangerous thing. In fact those people who are seeking to withdraw from the Rome Statute are making it so bad (for the suspects). You will regret it for the rest of your life."
Elsewhere, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has told MPs not to allow their political differences override the task awaiting them when Parliament resumes.
Mr Mudavadi and Olago said MPs should focus on passing Bills that facilitate setting up of institutions that would oversee implementation of the Constitution.
Crucial role
Speaking to The Standard separately, the leaders said Parliament had a crucial role to play in implementation of the Constitution, and political differences should not stand in the way of reforms.
"Parliament performed well last year, but this is the year to reckon because it has a lot to do in line with implementation of the new Constitution," said the Local Government minister in a telephone interview, yesterday.
He added: "MPs are capable of delivering if they only guard against political interests spilling into Parliament’s work."
And Olago noted that some of the critical issues Parliament is required to deal with include vetting of judges, Police reforms and creation of county government organs.
"My fear is that 2012 succession politics might take centre stage in the House and undermine the reforms process Parliament is to undertake," said Olago.
He added: "Parliament managed to overcome hurdles to endorse the boundaries review commission report and passing names of leaders for the Commission on Revenue Allocation among others, which had divided MPs".
He said Kenyans relied on MPs to speed up the passing of such Bills and asked them to live to their expectations.
Mudavadi said Kenyans were keenly watching MPs’ performance and those who go against their wish should be ready to face their wrath.