Uhuru’s Rant Against Annan Disrespectful

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2012 - 00:00 -- BY DENNIS KODHE

It is hypocritical for both Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto to hit out at Kofi Annan for saying that it would be bad for Kenya if they ran for the presidency because of the crimes against humanity cases they are facing before the International Criminal Court. Whether they like it or not, the ICC is real and it is not Kofi Annan who pushed Kenyans into it.

Annan and other members of the Eminent Persons group played a pivotal role in bringing peace in Kenya when the country was burning.

He and his team should not just be dismissed or ignored now because there is a semblance of peaceful or just because Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto and others want to be elected president.

All Kenyans should respect Annan and other members of the Eminent Persons group for what they did to restore peace during the 2007 post-election violence.

For president Mwai Kibaki to snub Kofi Annan and his team during their recent assessment visit to Kenya was disrespectful and hypocritical.

Annan did not come here in his personal capacity but was visiting on behalf of the African Union and the international who are concerned about Kenya and its progress on the path of reform.

Utterances by some of our presidential aspirants about Kenya and the international community or emissaries such as Kofi Annan raise questions as to how such leaders will formulate their foreign or international policies when they become president.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga and even Uhuru and Ruto are the beneficiaries of Kofi Annan-brokered peace deal which led to the establishment of the grand coalition government.

Those facing charges at the ICC should not direct their anger at distinguished and respectable personalities like Kofi Annan and other members of the Eminent persons who are interested in ensuring there is good governance and respect of the law.

The international community and friends of Kenya should not get tired or give up on Kenya or Africa. They should not relent or compromise in demanding good governance practice in Kenya and in Africa in general.

African has all the potentials for economic growth, development and political stability but has not been able to progress further because of bad leadership.

Denise Kodhe is the executive director of the Institute for Democracy and Leadership in Africa.