Photo/FILE Chairperson of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Bethuel Kiplagat.
By CAROLINE WAFULA cwafula@ke.nationmedia.com and TERRY NJOKI tnjoki@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, February 25 2012 at 19:51
Posted Saturday, February 25 2012 at 19:51
The embattled Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) chairman Bethuel Kiplagat said on Saturday that he was ready to work with fellow commissioners who had asked the court to bar him from returning to the commission.
Mr Kiplagat also said he was prepared to carry on with his duties as the TJRC chairperson after the High Court threw out a suit challenging his suitability to resume office.
The court, he said, had proved that he was innocent of the accusations levelled against him and that he would not be intimidated from doing what he believes in. (READ:Court opens door for Kiplagat's TJRC return)
“This is the only work that I love, it is the only thing I can do with all my heart and this is what I will go ahead with and you will see.
“All I want is for my grandchildren, the children of this nation to have peace,” he said in an interview with the Sunday Nation on Saturday.
Mr Kiplagat, who was appointed to head the truth commission at its establishment in 2009, has been unable to discharge his duties for the past 14 months following strong opposition by commissioners who expressed lack of confidence in him.
He stepped aside as TJRC chairman in November 2010 to pave the way for investigations into his past conduct as a public official following allegations of by civil society. Former Chief Justice Evans Gicheru appointed a tribunal to investigate him.
Mr Kiplagat served as Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary and an ambassador in the Moi government.
Mr Kiplagat, however, attempted to report back to work before the tribunal concluded its work prompting the TJRC commissioners to move to court to challenge his return to office.
The commissioners claimed that Mr Kiplagat was interfering with the commission’s operations.
They argued that he had reported to work before the tribunal that was appointed to look into his conduct had cleared him of the allegations that were levelled against him.
At yesterday’s interview, Mr Kiplagat said he trusted the courts and that is why he gave the process a chance.
“If you quit, people would think you have done something and so you are running away or trying to hide something.
“But I stayed on so that the truth could be seen. After all, TJRC is about truth and justice,” he said.
“I also wanted to be free and I let the court do its work. We have to follow the law and I am happy and I thank God that the court cleared me of the mudslinging,” he said.
High Court Judge Mohammed Warsame dismissed the suit against Mr Kiplagat, saying the commissioners had no powers to question the return of the chairman.
He also said the commissioners should have sought the opinion and the advice of the Attorney General before instituting the suit.
No grudge
On Saturday, Mr Kiplagat said he would not hold any grudge against the commissioners who have openly showed their hostility towards him.
He said he wished to see the commission carry on with its work and realise its goals.
“This is my vision, my conviction for this country. I strongly believe in the objectives of the TJRC,” he stated. “It is not being stubborn when you know you have done nothing,” he stated.
He said the disagreements between him and the commissioners should serve as a test on the strength of the team to carry out its mandate.
“This is a commission for reconciliation and peace. If we cannot get along and sort our differences, how can we go out to handle the tasks bestowed upon us?” he argued.
“I will not go back there to start picking issues with my colleagues, that is not my focus and that is not our goal. Let us look forward and move this country forward,” he stated.
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