ODM should defend William Ruto in ICC trial

The silence by Orange Democratic Movement on the case facing Deputy President William Ruto and former journalist Joshua arap Sang at the International Criminal Court (ICC) is particularly worrying.

Ruto was a key leader in ODM who did everything possible to ensure a coalition government was formed, leading to appointment of then ODM leader Raila Odinga as prime minister.

The truth of the matter is, it was Ruto’s efforts that led the formation of the coalition government and the case he is facing at The Hague is connected to that.

But what we are seeing is a situation where ODM leaders under the CORD umbrella are taking different dimension instead of telling ICC that Ruto and Sang are innocent.

ODM is well placed to tell the ICC that Kenyans were protesting rigged election and that nobody planned  violence in any part of the county.

Martin Luther Jnr once said, ‘in the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.’

On the other hand, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has no moral authority to criticise the attempt to withdraw Kenya from the Rome Statute, which established the ICC.

The calls by Kalonzo that withdrawing Kenya from Rome Statute risks plunging the country into lawlessness is just mere politicking.

ODM leaders should put aside their political differences and speak up against the ongoing case facing Ruto and Sang.