Monday, March 19, 2012

Raila defends himself over ICC cases




Written By:Samson Kitavi/PMPS,    Posted: Mon, Mar 19, 2012
ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo receives Waki envelop (FILE)
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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