Display of the national flag at ICC shows solidarity with impunity

Hassan Omar HassanI have seldom said anything positive about Maj-Gen Mohammed Hussein Ali in public. As a commissioner of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights in charge of Security Sector Reforms, I had numerous run-ins with the former Police Commissioner.
Ironically, the few times we met were cordial often asking me how my family and in particular how my mother was doing. I trust Ali had information that I am my mother’s only child and that she is an integral part of my life. His human side was indeed disarming. After all, he was the Police Commissioner and got all sorts of information first hand.
In different accounts, ‘friends’ often whisper to me about the contents of some of these ‘secret dossiers’ or information often pointing out the inaccuracies and innuendoes about my person. Ridiculous slander has for long typified "official secrecy".
Maj-Gen Ali who is the Postmaster General has earned the respect of many since December 15, last year, when International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo named him among six persons suspected to bear the greatest responsibility for the post- 2007 election violence. Ali might or is fighting the biggest and most decisive ‘battle’ of his life. He faces allegations of crimes against humanity. As a society, we cannot excuse such crimes. Kenyans are demanding accountability for these crimes.
Despite the psychological burden, the conduct of Ali has been most respectful. Only the former Police Commissioner and Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey have exhibited the cool, calm and collected composure in the face of the enormity of allegations against them. They have carried themselves with decorum and respected the processes and structures of the ICC. Regardless of what you think of the two, you must acknowledge and laud their demeanour. We hope that they can sustain the composure and style to the end. As a legal realm, the most decisive battles must be fought and won in court.
Brand Kenya Chief Executive Mary Kimonye, indicates that Kenya has been slipping gradually as a preferred destination for investment, largely because of political tension associated with the ICC. In practical terms, the overemphasis on some of the ICC suspects, the shuttle diplomacy and the careless political speech is casting us as a fragile or ‘failed State’.
Unlike Ali and Kosgey, some of the suspects have been ranting venom against political adversaries and the ICC. It appears unlikely that the gracious Presiding judge Ekaterina Trendafilova is in cahoots with Prime Minister Raila Odinga to fix William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta to smoother Raila’s path to the presidency. The lady justice has warned the suspects of "dangerous speech". She looked pretty nice on television but I would advise the ranting suspects not to test her will.
But how can our brand ‘beloved Kenya’ be rescued from further decline? We must disarm the political class and seize the initiative.
The MPs at The Hague sang our national anthem and draped themselves in our national colours ‘celebrating’ Kenya’s first humiliating appearance at the ICC. How shameful? With such indiscretion how then do you expect the Kenyan brand to recover?
There must be less abusive ways of invoking the ‘spirit’ of our national anthem and colours. This careless political charade both locally and internationally is costing the entirety of the Kenyan nation. Such reversal of progress can only be ultra vires and criminal to the interests of the Kenyan people.
The writer is a commissioner with KNCHR