By NATION CORRESPONDENT and REPORTER
Posted Sunday, October 2 2011 at 21:24
Posted Sunday, October 2 2011 at 21:24
Nine legislators have defended Prime Minister Raila Odinga against claims that he instigated post-election violence by calling for mass action.
Speaking in Gem constituency on Saturday, the MPs said the PM called for peaceful protests, which does not mean violence.
“Mass action is recognised in the Constitution and nobody should drag the PM into The Hague cases,” Lands Minister James Orengo said.
The Ugenya MP has also denied media reports that ODM leaders held a crisis meeting after Mr Odinga was adversely mentioned during on-going proceedings at The Hague.
“We are not in a state of panic. There is no crisis meeting over what is happening in The Hague,” he said on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Public Health Minister Beth Mugo said she believes the “underlying issues between Mr Odinga and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta will come out” through the cases at the International Criminal Court.
However, Ms Mugo added that she was not passing the buck on the violence to Mr Odinga.
She said Mr Kenyatta was not bitter for facing charges at the UN-backed war crimes court.
“He raised money to buy blankets, food and other items to help victims of the violence,” she said on Sunday at St Andrews PCEA Church.
In his submissions at the ICC last week, Mr Kenyatta said Mr Odinga was in a position to avert post-election violence, but instead called for mass action. (READ: Uhuru blames violence on Raila)
But, the ODM leaders said Mr Odinga took political responsibility at the time by accepting the formation of a coalition government, which ended the violence.
“They should each carry their own cross and stop blaming the PM for their woes,” Uriri MP Cyprian Omollo said.
Dr Oburu Oginga (Bondo) said the party had nothing against Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta, adding that the Prime Minister was prepared to face them at the ballot.
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