I’m ready to go to The Hague if indicted, says Raila

Prime Minister Raila Odinga responded to criticism it was inappropriate for him and President Kibaki to have met ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo because they are "potential suspects".

The PM also announced the Justice Minister would soon table amendments to strengthen the Witness Protection Act "because the law has loopholes".

Raila was responding to concerns raised by Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara about the safety of witnesses expected to testify against post-election violence suspects.

"To my knowledge the Waki list has not been made public. Therefore virtually everybody is a suspect, including you Honourable Isaac Ruto," the Prime Minister said, referring to the Chepalungu MP who had questioned the meeting with Mr Moreno Ocampo. Raila added: "A suspect is not a convict and that’s why Ocampo wants to investigate the cases. If my name is in the list and investigation finds me culpable, I am ready to face trial."

Possible suspects

Ruto had asked the PM to clarify whether "it was normal for the ICC prosecutor to have meetings with possible suspects".

"Has the same prosecutor met with President Hassan Omar Al Bashir?" Ruto had asked referring to the indicted Sudanese leader.

Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau sought to know who would deal with "suspects bearing greatest political responsibility".

But the PM said it did not matter whether one is guilty of criminal or political responsibility. "They are both crimes".

He reminded members he had been charged with treason before spending six months at Kamiti Prison before the State dropped the charges when it could not prove the case.

The Moreno Ocampo meeting resurfaced on Wednesday during PM time at the request by Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale. Dr Khalwale wanted the PM to furnish the House with details of the meeting and why the Government refused to make a formal referral of the Kenya case to ICC.

 

 

Read all about: post-election violence impunity International Commission of Jurists Kenya ICC chief prosecutor grand coalition government Raila odinga Moreno Ocampo

 

 

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