Written By:Samson Kitavi/PMPS, Posted: Mon, Mar 19, 2012 | ||
Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Monday took his political campaigns to the vote rich Central Kenya, the political home turf of his rival Deputy Premier Uhuru Kenyatta where he denied his alleged involvement in the International Criminal Court (ICC) cases.
The PM termed as political propaganda claims that he was behind the list of names of Kenyans taken to the International Court in connection with the 2008 post election violence .
The PM pointed out that indeed him together with President Kibaki led efforts to have those found to have borne the greatest responsibility in the violence tried in the country in vain, adding people alleging that he took the list to the Hague wanted to make political capital out of the propaganda.
The PM was categorical that he had no intention of eliminating political competition through such unorthodox means , saying the political arena would be more exciting with strong candidates opposing him.
The Prime Minister was speaking at Murang'a teachers training college where he addressed ODM delegates from Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Nyandarua and Murang'a.
He noted that those who were now vilifying him in regard with the ICC, were the same people who frustrated efforts to have a local tribunal formed to try the post election violence suspects in the country with chants in Parliament of don't be vague say Hague.
"That list came from Justice Waki whose commission inquired into the post election violence, who handed it to peace mediator Kofi Annan who in turn gave it to the ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo after we failed as a country to form a local tribunal, so where do I come in?" he posed.
Mr.Odinga at the same time made it clear that he had no vengeance against the Kikuyu since the community had not wronged him in any way.
The PM once again dismissed talk that he would revenge against the Kikuyu if ascended to the country's Presidency , saying it is another spin from his political adversaries bent on derailing his Presidential bid.
He said, "I have been in the forefront in the fight for reforms in this country together with many friends from the community including Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia and Paul Muite , and still have many friends from the Kikuyu community, why would I harm them?"
And added, " those fearing that impunity among the Luo will increase and that they will even refuse to pay rent if I became President should rest assured that no such thing will happen, Indeed I have told all tenants in Kibera including Luos to pay rent without fail."
On the differences between the founding President Jomo Kenyatta and his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the PM explained that the differences were more ideological than tribal.
" It was a matter between those who wanted to retain power within a certain clique and progressive forces that wanted to empower the people." he added.
The Premier hit out at some ODM members who after losing in the recent party elections had turned against it alleging dictatorial tendencies in the party.
He said, "We are the most democratic party in the country, we are the only party who have conducted internal party elections successfully, ODM therefore cannot be a dictatorship."
He noted that the party was carrying the country's reform agenda adding that even the much talked about controversy of the election of the party Presidential flag bearer will be handled in the most democratic manner where either him or his deputy Musalia Mudavadi can be elected.
Mr. Odinga also spoke about the constitution saying its successful implementation will depend on the party and kind of person Kenyans will elect to lead them in the coming elections.
He re-emphasized that people who opposed the constitution and the watermelons who purported to support it sometimes and in other times opposed the document could not be the right people to be entrusted with its implementation.
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Monday, March 19, 2012
Raila defends himself over ICC cases
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