Uhuru hits back at Maina Kiai

The Kenyan DAILY POSTPolitics23:13

Sunday the 22^nd of July 2012 - Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta has come out in defense of himself and fellow presidential aspirant William Ruto over claims made last Friday by renowned human rights activist Maina Kiai who called on the two to halt their bids to vie for the presidency until they had cleared their names at the ICC.

In a statement released by his spokesman Munyori Buku, Uhuru said that the United Nations Special Rapporteur was better placed than most to know that the law considers the two suspects innocent until proven guilty;

“Mr Maina Kiai has gone to school enough to know the difference between fact and opinion. The fact is that nothing in the Kenyan law prevents Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto from vying for the presidency. How can it when they have committed no crime and are innocent of all the charges until the ICC proves otherwise?” read the statement.

Adding;

“If everybody alleged to have committed this crime or that were treated like a criminal, Kenya would be a national jungle. Allegations are just that - allegations!” the DPM said.

On Friday, Kiai took great pains to explain why he feels Uhuru and Ruto should bow out of the race in order to restore the “honour, respect and dignity to the position of Kenya’s presidency”.

Kiai also posed some practical questions on how the government would run if key individuals are having to travel to the Hague to face charges;

“How will the government run if the President or his deputy or both are facing trials at the ICC and whose proceedings they must attend in person?”

He added that the supporters of the two individuals have the option of voting for a candidate who shares the “vision and policies are similar to the duo” if they are were not running.

Adding;

“Crimes against humanity are very serious in the world and cannot be wished away like a petty crime. And although the two are innocent until proven guilty, they must consider the fate of Kenya in the event they are elected to office,”

The Kenyan DAILY POST