By NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, November 6 2012 at 00:30
Posted Tuesday, November 6 2012 at 00:30
IN SUMMARY
- Mr Odinga cited Sudanese President Omar al Bashir who became a pariah after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant of arrest against him three years ago over the Darfur massacre.
- The PM said he had worked hard with President Kibaki to constitute a local tribunal for the suspects of the 2007/8 post- election violence but MPs scuttled their efforts.
- For the second time in a week, Mr Odinga asked the Kalenjin to forgive him for any errors of omission and commission he had committed since 2007.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has warned that not even victory at the ballot would save his rivals William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta from trial at The Hague over the post-election violence.
Responding to questions by Kalenjin elders in Eldoret town, Mr Odinga cited Sudanese President Omar al Bashir who became a pariah after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant of arrest against him three years ago over the Darfur massacre.
Mr Odinga, on his third visit to the area in four days, said he had worked hard with President Kibaki to constitute a local tribunal for the suspects of the 2007/8 post- election violence but MPs scuttled their efforts.
“President Kibaki and I worked tirelessly to have a local tribunal set up but majority of the leaders, including some of the suspects, advocated for The Hague,” said Mr Odinga.
But he said if elected president, he would push for the cases to be tried at home since the country had a reformed Judiciary and national reconciliation was under way.
Greed and personal interest
“The Kalenjin voted for me en masse in the last General Election because they believed in my qualities and I believe they will do the same again in the next polls,” he told the elders.
The meeting also discussed the alliance between Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta, with some claiming it was inspired by greed and personal interest.
The elders said Mr Odinga was not to blame for the Mau Forest evictions as claimed by Mr Ruto, adding that it was a Cabinet decision.
For the second time in a week, Mr Odinga asked the Kalenjin to forgive him for any errors of omission and commission he had committed since 2007. (READ: Raila apologises to Rift Valley)
“The race is not yet over until we take over leadership of this country. I will still seek your forgiveness if I have ever committed any wrong that has now been used as propaganda against me,” said Mr Odinga.
He opposed the planned taxation of athletes’ prize monies, saying it would demotivate the track stars who have earned the country fame internationally and stifle talent.
Instead, he said more incentives were needed to encourage young people to take up sport as a career. East African Community minister Musa Sirma claimed the TNA/URP alliance was not good for the community.
“The Kalenjin supported Uhuru in 2002 and we are not ready to rally behind him again in an alliance that will benefit personal interests,” said Mr Sirma.
Agriculture minister Sally Kosgei said the decision by Mr Ruto to drop his presidential bid for Mr Kenyatta had opened up the community to other leaders with more national development agenda.
Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey said Mr Odinga had nothing to do with The Hague trials and asked the community not to be swayed by euphoria to support TNA/URP alliance.
Roads minister Franklin Bett said Mr Ruto was out of order to link the PM to the Mau eviction when he was in the Cabinet that endorsed the decision to protect the water tower.
Also at the meeting were Medical Services minister Anyang’ Nyongo, assistant ministers Oburu Oginga, Magerer Lang’at, John Mbadi , Josephat Nanok and Julius Murgor.
Elsewhere, Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa said Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta had not struck any power deal as reported in the media.
The minister told aspirants who wanted to contest the election of New Ford Kenya ticket from Bungoma County that he was eyeing the presidency.
“At this time of elections, propaganda and other campaign tools will come up. We urge our supporters to be cautious. When we reach an agreement, we will announce in broad daylight what our line-up is,” he said in Webuye.
Mr Wamalwa dismissed reports that he had settled for the post of Speaker in the Ruto-Uhuru administration.
“I announced my presidential bid two years ago, I have no reason to change my mind and settle for anything less at this time when the election is just a few months away,” he said.
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