Kenyan MPs take The Hague by storm with their endless drama

Kenyans demonstrate outside the ICC in The Hague Wednesday in support of Uhuru. [PHOTO: TITUS MUNALA/STANDARD]

THE HAGUE: Kenyan MPs created a scene in and outside the courtroom in The Hague as the status conference of President Uhuru Kenyatta's case started.

One MP got knocked down by a cyclist, another led a "public onslaught" against a police officer while another led colleagues in storming the ICC gallery.

Kandara MP Alice Wahome was knocked down by a cyclist outside the main entrance but was not hurt. Her colleagues blocked access as MP Moses Cheboi helped her up. She was chatting with Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and MP Alice Ng'ang'a when the incident occurred.

And, Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi also known as Sonko arrived at the court in style with a "rescue team" of young men. They wore aprons, t-shirts and caps emblazoned with anti-ICC slogans. "Respect our Prezo" one read.

Sonko and former Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua, led the youths in chanting pro-Uhuru slogans.

Police manning the road demanded Sonko's "rescue team" relocates to an empty space opposite the courtroom. Sonko engaged the officer in heated arguments in Kiswahili.

The officer finally had his way when he led Sonko's team across the road. "He's a good cop," Sonko said. "When you come to Kenya, I will employ you as one of my bodyguards," he teased.

Salim Senussi Issa, one of the "rescue team" members shouted at the officers: "We do not want our president in a Babylon kingdom."

Outside the court, the MPs sang: "Hakuna Uhuru kama wewe (There's none like Uhuru)" as the limousines carrying him and immediate family members pulled over by the entrance.

President Kenyatta's wife Margaret, daughter Ngina, sisters Kristina Praat and Nyokabi, his brother Muhoho, George Muhoho (uncle) and Beth Mugo, his cousin, accompanied him.

Uhuru did not say much to the waiting MPs. He simply greeted them and had a hard time fighting his way up the stairs to the courtroom as the lawmakers continued singing. Former assistant minister Dr Kilemi Mwiria helped him find his way to the entrance.

Inside the courtroom, Uhuru's home area MP Moses Kuria (Gatundu South) stormed the public gallery after court officials delayed in processing their entry tickets.

The case had barely started and the presiding judge was addressing the President when Kuria and Ms Wahome stormed the gallery forcing the guards to order them to leave. A standoff ensued as the MPs held their ground.

DIASPORA SUPPORT

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed saved the situation after she offered her seat to Kuria and pleaded with the rest to leave.

Cord MPs Gideon Mung'aro, Joseph Nkaissery, Zainab Chidzunga, Khatib Mwashetani, John Munuve and Raychel Nyamai joined their Jubilee counterparts in accompanying the President. Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Prof Olive Mugenda also attended the hearings.

Kenyans living or studying in Netherlands also showed up in The Hague. Jessica Kahura, Mathenge Mwehe and Mildred Sangoro, all students at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, said they could not miss the date.

"He's our President. We voted for him. We have 'skived' classes to be here with him and see him through this," Ms Kahura said.

At the public gallery and after Presiding judge Kuniko Ozaki wound up proceedings without a word from Uhuru, the MPs gasped: "Hio tu? (Just that)" as they walked out.