President Uhuru chairs top security meeting to discuss his absence over ICC

 

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday chaired a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) that was convened to discuss his expected absence on Wednesday.

The President met Kenya's top security organ in the morning before chairing a special Cabinet meeting. NSC meetings are usually held when there is a sensitive matter of national concern.

Among those present was Deputy President William Ruto, Chief of Kenya Defence Forces Gen Julius Karangi, head of NIS Maj-Gen Philip Kameru and police boss David Kimaiyo.

Others who sit in the council are cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries of Interior and Foreign Affairs, and the Attorney General.

He later addressed a special session of Parliament where he said he will go to the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he faces charges of crimes against humanity. Ruto, Karangi, CSs and service commanders were among senior officials who sat in the Chamber throughout his address.

"I will shortly issue the legal notice necessary to appoint Honourable William Ruto, deputy president, as acting president while I attend the status conference at The Hague, Netherlands," Kenyatta told a special sitting of both Houses of Parliament.

At the security meeting, the President is said to have informed the chiefs present of his decision to go to The Hague and that Ruto will be the acting President as per Article 147 (3) of the Constitution.

Sources said the President had on Sunday met part of his family members to inform them of his decision to attend The Hague session tomorrow.

Security was tight at Parliament Buildings before the presidential motorcade arrived after 3pm.

Police had cleared Parliament Road for the military band and parade that the president inspected.

Only accredited people were allowed to get into Parliament before the President arrived.