DEPUTY president William Ruto yesterday clarified that he is on “an official bilateral trip" to four African countries, as the Senate saw heated debate on the issue.
Ruto denied claims he is on a shuttle diplomacy to gain support against the International Criminal Court where he and President Uhuru Kenyatta, together with radio journalist Joshua arap Sang are standing trial for crimes against humanity.
In a press statement, Ruto said he will visit Congo, Gabon, Nigeria and Algeria.
The statement says that “the trip is a follow-up to an invitation by the presidents of the three countries during president Uhuru Kenyatta's inauguration.
“The Deputy President is representing the President on the official engagements. This follows the emphasis by the government and President Uhuru Kenyatta during his inauguration that the next frontier of the country’s partnership is the African Continent,” said the statement.
Ruto said that Kenya is an important player in the socio-economic development, as well as peace and stability in the region. He also said that Kenya and has active membership in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) as well as the East African Community.
“Pursuant to that we believe that with the strategic leadership we have in the region, Kenya needs to establish a partnership with countries in the South, West, North and Central Africa,” he said. “We need to position Kenya in a driving seat in the African agenda as pertains socio-economic development and environmental conservation.”
The debate in the Senate started when Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale sought a statement from the Senatorial committee on National Security and Foreign Relations on Ruto's trip.
Khalwale sought clarification from the Committee, chaired by Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji, on whether the travels were state visits or the Deputy President’s own private affairs.
Khalwale said that if they were state visits, Haji should tell the public how much it will cost the taxpayer and the benefits the Kenya public will accrue from the shuttle.
Khalwale also sought an explanation from Haji on whether the renewed effort by the government is a continuation of the process started by Kenya’s ambassador to the UN Macharia kamau.
Macharia recently wrote to the UN Security council requesting it to terminate cases involving the three Kenyans. He followed up with another letter seeking dialogue with the Security Council on the matter.
Ruto has since dismissed the envoy's letter, saying he was neither articulating the official government position nor Ruto's personal position.
Khalwale further told the Senate that Haji should clarify whether the government believes that ICC will be bound by the concessions Ruto gets from shuttle diplomacy.
“This is a grave matter of national importance as it touches on our international relations,” Khalwale said.
However, his request caused unease in the House with members, mainly from the Jubilee Alliance, accusing the Kakamega senator of dishonesty and playing to the gallery.
They quickly jumped to Ruto's defence and some even offered to respond to Khalwale’s request, even though it was directed to the committee.
Senators Charles Keter, Kimani Wamatangi, Billow Kerrow and Kipchumba Murkomen accused Khalwale of being “mixed up” and failing to separate Ruto's official and private roles.
They accused Khalwale of making political capital out of Ruto’s misfortunes at the Hague.
“Khalwale must tell us the source of his information. Can he for sure tell the Kenyan public that Ruto is out of the country? How does he know where the deputy president is? Is he relying on media reports?,” asked Keter
Wamatangi and Murkomen said Ruto is entitled to make trips as he is the Deputy President.
However, Johnston Muthama of Machakos defended Khalwale, reminding members that they represent national interests.
Wajir's Abdirahaman Hassan Ali urged members to protect national interest "even if certain things cannot pay dividends".
“Khalwale is merely seeking clarifications. When Kalonzo Musyoka undertook the infamous shuttle diplomacy he was asked to explain its purpose. He was asked how much he spent. There is nothing wrong with Kenyans being told,” Ali said.
Haji promised to issue the statement in the next two weeks.
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