Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has hit out at the Jubilee government
over the International Criminal Court cases, saying leaders should not
incite but unite the country.
He said the challenge facing President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy
William Ruto and radio journalist Joshua arap Sang at the ICC would not
be resolved by abusing the international community.
“We know that there are people who were killed during the postelection
violence. There are people who were maimed and thousands of children
left orphans. We need to bring Kenyans together first. People should not
go round the country making noise yet Kenyans are not united,” said
Raila.
Addressing supporters at Kamukunji grounds in Kibra, Nairobi, yesterday,
Raila noted that there was need to heal the nation and unite Kenyans.
He said the process of ICC should run its course.
In reference to the UN Security Council’s vote on deferral of the cases,
the former Premier said this was not the time to blame but to forgive
each other.
“Kenyans should forgive each other so that we can have a united nation,” added Raila.
The African Union (AU) had requested the UN Security Council to defer
the cases against Uhuru and Ruto for one year to allow them to deal with
the security threatsposed by Al-Qaeda-linked Somali militants.
Rampant insecurity
However, the 15-member council was split – seven members, including
Russia and China, voted in favour, and eight abstained, including
France, the US and Britain. Resolutions need nine votes and no vetoes to
pass. Britain, France, the US, China and Russia hold veto powers.
The former co-principal in Kibaki’s administration decried insecurity
and challenged President Kenyatta to resign if he has failed to curb the
rising cases of insecurity.
He recounted how Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor’s parents were killed and asked the Government to assure Kenyans of their security.
“We cannot have Kenyans being killed mercilessly. If they have failed to
ensure security for all, then they should resign and let those who can
take over,” Raila said.
On the issue of title deeds, Raila called on the Government to give the
residents of Kibra the document without discrimination, noting that
Kenyans from all walks of life inhabit the area.
He challenged Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu to prioritise the
issue so that the residents could develop their plots and construct
habitable and affordable houses.
“All tribes are represented in Kibra and everyone has a right to a title
deed just like others. Let the Land’s cabinet secretary issue the
residents here with title deeds without discrimination,” said the former
Premier.
ODM’s nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro waded into claims that some
members of the Executive coached witnesses to fix Ruto at ICC.
Ongoro told the rally that it was now crystal clear who took Ruto to the
ICC and asked the Kibra residents to remain united. “They said it was
Raila who took them to ICC, but now the truth is coming out on who fixed
Ruto in The Hague. This was just propaganda to tarnish Raila’s name,”
said Ongoro.
The two leaders remained confident that Ford-Kenya Leader Moses
Wetang’ula would recapture his seat as the Bungoma senator in next
month’s by-election.
Meanwhile, Siaya Senator James Orengo has given the Jubilee alliance ten
days to name those who fixed the Deputy President at the International
Criminal Court, failure to which he would spill the beans.
Mr Orengo said Jubilee knew who had fixed Deputy President William Ruto
and he had sufficient evidence to expose those behind the move.
False testimonies
He said President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy are all aware of where all the pieces of evidence came from.
“I dare them to name those who gave false testimonies in the name of
fixing the other as it is a criminal offence punishable by law,” said
Orengo.
His remarks come in the wake of a simmering row in the Jubilee alliance
over claims that Uhuru retained advisors who ‘fixed’ his deputy in The
Hague.
Speaking during a fundraiser for St Stephen Anglican Church in Kisumu,
Orengo accused the same people of trying to fix Raila as well.
Source: the standard
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