Jubilee MPs pile pressure on CORD leader Raila Odinga over ICC

Members of Parliament during prayers for Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang at Kabartojo Primary School in Baringo County yesterday. (PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/STANDARD)

Leaders from the Jubilee coalition yesterday renewed their calls to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to record a statement on the cases facing Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua arap Sang.

The leaders said it would be a perfect opportunity for the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy leader to tell the country what he knows about the cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Speaking during inter-denominational prayers at Kabartonjo, Baringo County, the legislators, led by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and his Senate counterpart Kithure Kindiki, said time had come for Raila and Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o to comply with the directive from Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko.

Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu sensationally claimed he was aware of two witnesses who were coached and bribed by the Party of National Unity (PNU) to testify against Ruto and Sang.

“Kenyans and the world at large have heard what Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria said. It’s known that money was dished to witnesses who traveled to ICC and the whole process must begin afresh,” Mr Waititu said.

Bribing witnesses

The MP claimed the case at ICC was built around the political supremacy contest between PNU and the Orange Democratic Movement, adding that it was wrong for those who were with Ruto in the struggle  to abandon him at a time the truth had been revealed.

Led by Bishop Daniel Chemon, church leaders prayed for the community while the politicians knelt as a sign of repentance.

Bishop Chemon asked Kenyans not to rest until their prayers are answered and the two cases pending in The Hague are cleared and the two set free.

Locals with solidarity placards for Ruto and Sang made their way to the venue as early as 8a.m. while the leaders drove in and others arrived in helicopters.

“The case facing two Kenyans at ICC is serious and those alleged to have played a role in it must stop the empty threats. We are talking about the deputy president of Kenya,” Mr Duale said.

Addressing the big crowd at Moi Kabartonjo Primary School grounds, the Garissa Township MP said Mr Kuria’s revelation of witness coaching and fixing had angered majority of Kenyans who are now seeking for truth.

He told a section of Rift Valley leaders opposed to the prayers that their political days are numbered.

“We were at Kiptororo, Kapsakwony, Ruiru and now Kabartonjo. Those who have not stood with us are known. It’s time they retired,” he said.

Bribing witnesses

He said the move by MP Samuel Chepkonga to have the Waki commission findings examined afresh was timely, saying Justice Waki has to appear before the committee and explain to the country how he picked the six Kenyans and not the 20 in the list.

Prof Kindiki described the cases at ICC as political, saying many people were made to believe the process was fair, which was not the case.

He said the ICC and those responsible for fixing the two Kenyans, coaching and bribing witnesses must come out, confess, allow the country to reconcile and the entire case to be terminated.

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi said all those who gave false evidence must be exposed.

Kericho Senator Charles Keter said opposing forces were determined to deny Kenyans the truth.