PM's absence after ICC ruling against suspects raises questions

By Alex Ndegwa

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been somewhat invisible since the International Criminal Court ruling, which has kicked up a political storm.

The PM was attending to engagements abroad when ICC delivered the verdict – a subject his rivals capitalise on to step up rhetoric against him.

Raila was in Equatorial Guinea for the African Cup of Nations on Monday, when the Pre-Trial judges confirmed charges against Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, Eldoret North MP William Ruto and radio journalist Joshua arap Sang.

On Thursday, when Mr Uhuru and Mr Muthaura resigned their positions, Raila had gone to Juba, South Sudan, where he witnessed delegations from the two governments sign an oil agreement.

The PM returned to Nairobi and flew out to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as Uhuru, Ruto and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka held a rally in Eldoret.

Yesterday, he attended the memorial of his late father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in Bondo, as the G7 leaders held their second public rally in Ruiru.

Apart from a statement he issued from abroad, urging Kenyans to remain calm following the ICC verdict the Premier has kept off the matter.

But Assistant Minister Kareke Mbiuki says it’s hard to believe that the tough talk coming from the ODM camp does not have the PM’s approval.

"He himself may be quiet but his generals are speaking loudly. Surely you don’t expect the PM is not privy to their talk. They are even referring to letters from his office," Mbiuki told The Standard On Sunday.

Not involved

He was referring to reports that the Prime Minister’s Office had dispatched a protest letter to the Office of the President, questioning why the decision to form a legal team, to review and advise Government on the ICC ruling was taken without consulting the PM.

Lands Minister James Orengo had spoken about the PM’s displeasure during a press conference alongside Fisheries Minister Amason Kingi, at which the ODM representatives in the Cabinet sub-committee on ICC protested the sidestepping of the team.

The two ministers also demanded that Uhuru and Muthaura resign their public positions. The Prime Minister’s Legal Advisor Paul Mwangi attended the press conference.

Even after the resignations, Orengo and ODM Whip Jakoyo Midiwo have demanded that Uhuru also give up the Deputy Prime Minister’s post. They have also claimed they were not involved in replacement of Muthaura.

Reached for comment, Uhuru’s camp welcomed PM’s wife, Ida Odinga, calling for the establishment of a local judicial mechanism to try the four Kenyan suspects.

"We are happy that Mama Ida has the feeling of compassion, the instincts of a mother and no one can doubt her sincerity," said Uhuru’s spokesman, Munyori Buku.

"When her family suffered when she was a teacher many Kenyans of goodwill expressed their sympathies in many ways," he added.

Raila has dismissed allegations by Uhuru and Ruto that he orchestrated their trials at The Hague to rule them out of the elections.