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| President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and his deputy William Ruto. |
By Geoffrey Mosoku
Nairobi, Kenya: Over 40 MPs from the Jubilee coalition now want President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto accorded VIP treatment on the onset of their cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The MPs argue that the two were elected popularly by the Kenyan people, whose sovereignty should be respected even as the two struggle to clear their names at The Hague.
The leaders warned ICC not to embarrass the two by treating them as criminals but handle them in dignity having been elected by their country to lead.
“Uhuru and Ruto were democratically elected by the Kenyan people just like elections that took place in USA and other democratic countries; they therefore must be accorded the same respect and treatment including security when their trial begins,” Thika Town MP Alice Nganga said.
Othaya’s Mary Wambui added; “As the people’s elected president and deputy, the ICC should not attempt to humiliate our leaders but accord them VIP treatment and follow other protocol requirements for heads of state and governments.”
The legislators said that although the president and his deputy were honouring their dates within the ICC, the court was turning out to be political which now they must deal with politically.
“Acknowledging that President Uhuru Kenyatta and His Deputy William Ruto have agreed to follow the legal process to prepare their case at ICC, we the political leadership will deal with ICC through the political process,” Baringo East MP Asman Kamama said.
“We will face ICC both legally and politically, to unreservedly free Africa from exploitative non reliable partnerships. This is Kenya's Moment. This Africa's enduring renaissance,” he added.
Kamama’s comments were echoed by his Baringo North counterpart William Cheptumo who said recent events at The Hague were testimony of how the court is political.
“The ICC process is a direct challenge to the sovereignty of the country. The court appears not to be independent institution,” Cheptumo said citing the recent ruling that Ruto will not have breaks in between the case to attend to his constitutional mandate in spite of the prosecutor not raising any objection.
The MPs were addressing a press conference at the Serena Hotel Monday when they announced plans to recall the two houses of parliament from recess to discuss the impending trials.
“We have instructed the two leaders of majority to consult and petition the speakers to convene parliament as soon as possible to discuss this matter,” Kamama said adding that the MPs were declaring their unflinching support for the Jubilee government.
Jubilee said they will be moving for the implementation of the resolution by 10th to remove Kenya from ICC by introducing a bill in parliament to repeal the Rome Statute.
Although the ICC has in the past made it clear that even if Kenya were to withdraw from the Rome Statute, it will not affect the case against Uhuru and Ruto, the legislators defended their intended motion saying its meant to cushion not only Kenyans but Africans from future ‘onslaughts by imperialists’ hiding under the cover of ICC.
Over one hundred MPs from the ruling coalition intend to accompany Ruto to The Hague next week, for his case which is slated for Tuesday September 10.
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