Kenyan MPs arrive in The Netherlands for the Ocampo Six hearings. Photo/JOAN PERERUAN
By ERIC SHIMOLI The Hague, Netherlands
Posted Wednesday, April 6 2011 at 20:13
Posted Wednesday, April 6 2011 at 20:13
Three of the six suspects named by International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo arrived in The Hague on Wednesday morning.
Suspended Cabinet ministers Henry Kosgey and William Ruto and Kass FM presenter Joshua Sang arrived at Armsterdam’s Schipol Airport just before 6 am (5 am in Kenya).
Mr Ruto and Mr Kosgey flew First class but Mr Sang was in Economy class.
The pilot announced that the three would be first to leave the aircraft and then they would be followed by other passengers.
They were received by Kenya’s ambassador to the Netherlands Ruthie C Rono and other embassy staff.
Protocol staff escorted them to embassy vehicles for a one-hour drive to The Hague where they were booked in at the Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel.
A group of MPs travelling with the three were driven on buses to The Hague where they were booked in at the Charlton Beach Hotel.
The MPs broke into patriotic songs when they boarded the buses for the journey singing “ Kenya Nchi Yetu” and the national anthem.
They spotted red, green and black caps.
An advisor to Prime Minister Raila Odinga on coalition affairs, Mr Miguna Miguna and media consultant Salim Lone are also at The Hague representing ODM.
Mr Miguna condemned what he termed “misuse of state resources to side with perpetrators of post-election violence”.
“They are spending public money illegally because no approval has been sought,” Mr Miguna said, terming this as immoral.
But this was denied by MPs in the entourage who said they had paid their way to the Netherlands.
Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau replied: “ absolutely not true”, when asked if their bills are being paid by the State.
The MPs said Mr Miguna’s presence was proof Mr Odinga was using the cases for political gain.
In all, the Kenyan delegation escorting the Ocampo six comprises 107 people. it includes 40 MPs, a number of political activists, family members and relatives, among other supporters.
Civil service head Francis Muthaura was expected in The Hague last evening, Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to arrive on Thursday morning while Postmaster General Hussein Ali arrived on Monday.
Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua said in a statement: “Ambassador Francis Muthaura has left for the Hague. On arrival, government officials will be received by the Kenyan ambassador in The Hague.”
Posts
It seem to Kenya ambassador to the Hague was welcoming the accused as if they have come on a government mission.
ReplyDeleteIt is regretable that our government has not yet come into terms that the acused are guilty of the crimes until proven otherwise and should stop using our public money for criminals . I am sure they were driven with the embassy cars flyin the Kenya flag .
Kiamwenji
yes
ReplyDelete