Ruto allies say ODM offer is insincere

Written By:Margaret Kalekye/Carol Gakii,    Posted: Sat, Mar 26, 2011

Ruto has said he will not accept lawyers hired by ODM party to represent him at The Hague

ODM Members of Parliament allied to suspended Education Minister William Ruto have thrown their weight behind him in rejecting legal aid offer by his party.

Belgut MP Charles Keter and Roads Minister Franklin Bett  questioned the sincerity of a section of MPs who announced that they party will hire lawyers for Ruto, Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and radio journalist Joshua Sang.

Bett also lashed out at the party secretary Anyang' Nyong'o for claiming that ODM had not agreed to assist the suspects.

The party is split over the proposal to assist the ICC suspects with some members issuing contradictory positions.  

Nyong'o  has disowned the plan by his party saying it was not the official ODM position. He said the party will not foot legal fees for Ruto and Party chairman Henry Kosgey terming the pronouncement as personal views by some members.  

A group of ODM legislators announced on Thursday that ODM would foot legal fees for its chairman Henry Kosgey, second deputy party leader William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang.

However this declaration was on Friday dismissed by party chief whip Jakoyo Midiwo. Midiwo termed the pronouncement as personal views by certain members.

In an interview with KBC, Midiwo said at no time has the issue of legal aid to the suspects featured in the party meetings. 

Ruto has said he will not accept lawyers hired by ODM party to represent him at The Hague.

He said ODM should first withdraw a letter to the UN Security Council that was against deferral of post-election violence cases.

Sang has also distanced himself from ODM saying he has never been a member of the party.