Leaders fault Uhuru, Ruto over ICC

By Mutinda Mwanzia

The move by Deputy Prime, Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and MP William Ruto to press for postponement of The Hague trials or delayed elections has triggered harsh reactions.

Imenti Central MP, Gitobu Imanyara termed it a conspiracy to defeat justice, adding they were undermining the legitimacy of the ICC process.

"The ICC should intervene fast and preserve its dignity by ensuring that justice is achieved. Those calling for signatures are simply perpetuating impunity," said Imanyara.

He added that the ICC intervened in the Kenyan case to ensure 2007-2008 violence does not recur, adding those pushing for delay of the trials were not committed to peaceful polls.

"They want to participate in the elections without having gone through censure or punishment. This is not tenable," said Imanyara.

Education Minister, Mutula Kilonzo who was previously the Justice Minister, declined to comment on the matter and referred our writer to Justice Minister, Eugene Wamalwa.

"Ask Wamalwa, I am busy with education matters," said Mutula.

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The chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on the Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs, Mohammed Abdikadir said Uhuru and Ruto were within their rights to seek the signatures to delay the trials.

"They are free to do all they can for their cases and are innocent until proven guilty," said Abdikadir, who spoke to The Standard from Mombasa where he is attending a retreat to fine-tune three Land Bills.

The Independent Party leader and former Kibwezi MP, Kalembe Ndile accused Uhuru and Ruto of using their communities to perpetuate impunity.

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"They are demonstrating that they can use their communities for their own selfish gains. It is unacceptable and unjust," said Ndile.

He added that the ICC should move to demonstrate the law is respected by ensuring the trials achieve justice for both the aggrieved and the accused.

"The Kenyan case should be used to show impunity has no place in modern world despite how high or powerful one is. Kenya should be used as an example," said Ndile.