Eject Uhuru, Muthaura from office, group demands

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and Public Service head Francis Muthaura. Photos/FILE

By NATION REPORTER
Posted  Sunday, April 3 2011 at 19:39

Civil society wants individuals facing trial at The Hague to be removed from public office.

The International Center for Policy and Conflict warned that the continued stay in public office of the individuals was bound to interfere, undermine, block and subvert the course of justice regarding post-election violence. 

Executive director Ndung’u Wainaina said it was not enough for Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura and Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta to resign from the National Security Advisory Committee and Witness Protection Advisory Board respectively.

Another figure among the Ocampo Six who still holds public office is postmaster-general Hussein Ali.

Others set to appear before the International Criminal Court are former Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey, Eldoret North MP William Ruto and radio presenter Joshua Sang.

“Recent resignations did not in any way affect the power and influence these suspects yield. Their stay in State offices is inconsistent with the Constitution and raises a grave conflict of interest,” Mr Wainaina said.

He added that “stopping to attend the meetings is not the issue because as long as you wield the power and you can access information then you cannot be trusted with security of witnesses in the country”.

Mr Wainaina accused President Kibaki of adopting a “very negative stance on justice”, adding that this was “worrisome and poses a serious challenge to the future political stability of Kenya”.

He called on the coalition government to stand firm in its support for accountability and the rule of law, and shun actions that would undermine justice. The country is facing a critical moment in its history and war against impunity, he added.

“All efforts and mechanisms should be deployed to ensure Kenya makes a major leap forward in stemming completely impunity, drug trade and corruption,” Mr Wainaina said.

Although Kenya has an opportunity to challenge the admissibility of the ICC proceedings, it will only succeed if it shows that it is genuinely conducting national investigations and  prosecutions of  the same individuals for the same crimes.