Monday, March 21, 2011

PNU allies attack rivals for blocking cases deferral

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta addresses area residents at Timau trading centre in Buuri on March 20, 2011. Photo/ JOSEPH KANYI
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta addresses area residents at Timau trading centre in Buuri on March 20, 2011. Photo/ JOSEPH KANYI 
By JOHN NJAGI jnjagi@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Sunday, March 20 2011 at 22:16

Politicians allied to PNU on Sunday launched a scathing attack on their ODM counterparts for what they termed as their push for trial of the Ocampo Six at The Hague.
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Led by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, the leaders were incensed by a letter seeking to block a plea to defer the International Criminal Court (ICC) cases written by ODM secretary general Anyang Nyong’o. (READ: Reject Kenya plea, Orange asks UN)
Mr Kenyatta warned such leaders whom he said were “happy” to see the torment of others that a similar fate awaited them in future.
The Finance minister said those who instigated people to violence were well known and that the truth would “come out” eventually.
“Everyone knows those who announced (following the disputed 2007 election results) that they would not accept stolen elections and that Kenya would not experience peace,” said Mr Kenyatta.
“Are those not the ones who are supposed to be headed for The Hague?” posed the Deputy Prime Minister, asserting that his role was to “help our people” who were afflicted by post-election violence.
“People say we started the violence but the truth is I, like many Kenyans, was at home but soon realised our women and children were running away and heading this way.”
Mr Kenyatta was speaking at Timau PCEA Church in Laikipia County during a fundraiser. He thanked Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka for his efforts to have the cases deferred.
Mr Kenyatta who was accompanied by MPs Mwangi Kiunjuri, William Kabogo and assistant minister Nderitu Muriithi, were joined by dozen other legislators for a political rally at Central Park in Nanyuki Town.
Mr Kenyatta, alongside suspended Cabinet ministers William Ruto and Henry Kosgey, former police chief Hussein Ali, Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura and radio presenter Joshua arap Sang, has been named by ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo as suspected masterminds of the violence. They have been summoned to appear before the pre-trial chamber on April 7 and 8.
Mr Kabogo said he was hopeful the six would return after honouring the summons.
“We are sure the leaders will return but from there we will not let them to go back to The Hague because we cannot allow outsiders to dictate the country’s affairs,” he said.
Mr Kenyatta expressed confidence the six would be exonerated from blame by The Hague after which their names will be replaced by “those who bear the greatest responsibility”.
Additional report by Geoffrey Rono

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