Imams claim hidden motive in ICC cases

Posted by: The People in National September 9, 2013 0 2,449 Views

Muslim leaders have urged ICC to be cautious on handling the cases in which President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto face at The Hague. Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) Secretary General Sheikh Mohammed Dor has appealed to ICC to take into consideration measures taken by the duo in restoring peace in the country. Citing the recent act by the President and his deputy in which the two launched a Sh3.2 billion cash payment programme for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Dor said the leaders have shown exemplary deeds to indicate they are not only committed to correct past mistakes but also to create a peaceful environment for Kenyans.

“This programme will see each IDP household receive Sh400,000 to help them settle down,” said Dor. He accused ICC of being a political puppet of the West allegedly frustrating African countries in the name of seeking justice. He said the West is settling their business wrangles with Uhuru’s leadership using ICC as a scapegoat. “Americans are bitter with our ties with the East because they no longer enjoy the business stakes from Kenya as they used to do before, this ICC issue is all business and has nothing to do with justice,” said Dor.

He accused ICC of overlooking injustices instigated by the US in Afghanistan terming the concentration of ICC in the Kenyan case biased. “Why can’t ICC also bring to book Israel who have continuously committed crimes against humanity in Afghanistan and against Palestinians,” said Dor. Leadership vacuum Dor said ICC is favouring countries allied to the US and only out to frustrate poor nations. He rubbished allegations by a section of politicians that the absence of the two while attending cases at The Hague would create leadership vacuum.

The council opposed calls by a section of legislators to withdraw Kenya from the Rome Statute terming the move unwarranted claiming the country needs a big brother to assist in monitoring crisis especially after the 2008 post-election violence. Elsewhere, Nyeri County Governor Nderitu Gachagua has urged the international criminal court ICC to resubmit an application made by President Uhuru Kenyatta to have his trial postponed or have him excused from physically appearing in the court. Gachagua said that by the case being postponed no prejudice will be occasioned to the international court since the president has a greater responsibility to the people of Kenya and therefore the court should ensure that at least one of them is in the country.

“As much the president has an obligation to attend to the case facing him at The Hague, he has a greater responsibility to this country too,” he said. Gachagua who spoke after attending a church service at Karura PCEA church in Mathira urged Kenyans to pray for the deputy president as he departs for The

By ATIENO AKUMU and PERIS WAIRIMU