Kalonzo tells off critics over ICC deferrals

Written By:Carol Gakii/VPPS,    Posted: Sun, Mar 13, 2011

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka with UN chief Ban Ki-Moon

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has expressed confidence that Kenya's quest for deferral of ICC case will receive enough support at the United Nation's Security Council.

Mr. Musyoka dismissed the notion that his diplomatic missions abroad was in vain, noting that several countries across the world and the entire African continent have registered their willingness to rally behind Kenya .

"Kenya is a respected country globally and the recent shuttle diplomacy we made with my colleagues is not a mission in futility since most UN country  representatives we met expressed their willingness to support deferral of the Kenyan case at  the ICC," VP said.

The Vice President made the remarks in Kalundu  village in Kitui town  during a funeral ceremony of the late Mama Loice Mutongoi  Mangole, mother to the former Cabinet  Minister and Kitui West Legislator, Nyiva Mwendwa.

The late Mama Loice passed away early this month at the age of 105.

Mr. Musyoka said the Governor and his deputy will be based in Kitui town and asked leaders in the area to avoid unnecessary wrangles and instead support the implementation process of the new constitution.

Among those who addressed the gathering included, Assistant Minister for Defence, David Musila, MP's Johnstone Muthama and Mike Mbuvi who took a swipe on leaders who engage in politics of  hate and witch hunting.

UN meeting 

The VP Musyoka who returned to the country on Saturday following his shuttle diplomacy to have the cases deferred termed his mission as having been successful and expressed optimism that a meeting with the UN Security Council scheduled for Wednesday would be positive.

But legal experts say the informal meeting between the government and the U.N. Security Council has no legal effect on the International Criminal Court process.  

International Lawyer Ashford Muriuki says the U.N Security Council can only request a deferral of the cases if it is convinced that trying the Ocampo six at The Hague would pose a threat to Kenya's peace and stability.

Speaking to KBC on phone on Sunday, Muriuki said the meeting comes a little too late since summonses have already been issued against the six.

Chinese UN envoy who is also the Security Council President this month, Li Baodong told the press that the Kenyan side and a representative of the African Union will participate in the consultations on Wednesday afternoon.