Four MPs accuse Jubilee of abandoning Deputy President Ruto in ICC case

South Rift MPs have accused the Government of abandoning Deputy President William Ruto as he fights to clear himself against charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Four lawmakers from Bomet County claimed that the Government had taken a back seat on the matter after President Uhuru Kenyatta's case was dropped.

The MPs have demanded for another round of 'shuttle diplomacy' in order to put pressure on The Hague-based court to also drop the DP's case.

The legislators told the Government to start the process to clear the DP, registering their disappointment that it (Government) appears relaxed after Uhuru was let off the hook.

Addressing the Press at Parliament building Tuesday, Wilfred Lesan (Senator, Bomet), Paul Bii (Chepalungu), Bernard Bett (Bomet East) and Ronald Tonui (Bomet Central) challenged Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed and Attorney General Githu Muigai to start lobbying against the court.

"I am calling on the Government if it is serious and genuine to immediately commence shuttle diplomacy," said Mr Tunoi.

He continued, "I want to address the local dynamics. It seems after dropping of the two cases, that of Uhuru and Ambassador Francis Muthaura, we are no longer seeing the country's top leadership including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lobbying. It looks like the DP has been dumped."

According to the MPs, the Government has not been vocal enough to rally support from the African leaders to oppose the ICC case as they did on Uhuru's case.

They claimed Ruto has been abandoned by both the Government and the political leadership at the time when he needs them most.

"We express our displeasure and disappointment with the conduct of the ICC. We assure the DP of our support," said Mr Bett.

The legislators also took on ICC for using Rule 68 of the Rome Statue to accept recanted evidence by witnesses saying it was unacceptable.

"What is the motive behind ICC applying Rule 68? It is clear that it has vested interests and they are not to bring justice to the post-election violence victims," said Bett.

Mr Bii said ICC was being used to settle political scores, which he said, as Rift Valley MPs, they will not accept.

"If ICC wants justice, it should allow the local courts to deal with the case as Judiciary reforms have been carried out," he said.

He added: "It is irresponsible for a court to admit recanted evidence."