Spectacle as Kenyan women MPs seek divine intervention

Kenyan MPs singing outside ICC Wednesday.  [PHOTO: PIUS CHERUIYOT/STANDARD]

By FELIX OLICK

The Hague

Kenyan women legislators knelt down before the Hague-based court as they prayed for Deputy President William Ruto who is facing charges of crimes against humanity.

 The women began by singing praise and worship songs before kneeling down at the International Criminal Court’s main entrance to pray.

 The seven female leaders are among the 25 MPs and senators who travelled to The Hague in solidarity with Ruto.

 They include nominated senator Mvita Mshenga, Isiolo Women’s Representative Tiyah Galgalo and Baringo MP Grace Kiptui.

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Others are Nandi County Women’s Representative Zipporah Kering and her Uasin Gishu counterpart Eusilah Jepkosgei.

 In the morning, before the proceedings began, Ruto and his wife joined the lawmakers in prayer.

 They held hands, formed a circle and bowed their heads for the Lord’s Prayer, uttering the line “deliver us from evil” three times.

Rigorous checks

Previously, MPs would gather and sing the national anthem every evening after the proceedings.

As they prayed yesterday, Ruto’s lead counsel, Karim Khan, who had come to receive his client, watched from a distance.

Ruto and Khan then entered the courtroom through the main entrance as parliamentarians went through rigorous security checks at the back door.

 Some were even forced to remove their belts as they entered the building and later compelled to leave their heavy jackets at the reception area before going into the public gallery.

Radio journalist Joshua arap Sang, who has been a lone ranger at the ICC, was yesterday evening invited for a cup of tea with Ruto and the Jubilee MPs.

 “Let’s go and have tea together,” Kericho Senator Charles Keter persuaded Sang.

 The journalist joined the lawmakers in their van and the vehicle drove to an unknown location.

 But MPs caught on camera eating potato chips during a brief lunch session on Tuesday complained bitterly that they had been portrayed negatively by the media in the eyes of their constituents.

 “We will not be here for long; the ground is shifting,” said an MP who did not wish to be named.