MPs to push for naming of suspects in Waki envelope

By Sunday Standard Team

Ikolomani MP Bony Khalwale has said lawmakers who voted against the special tribunal will now push for the secret list of suspected architects of post-election violence to be made public.

"We will start to demand the envelope is taken to The Hague and the names of those mentioned made public," Khalwale told The Standard on Sunday.

The MP questioned why former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed displeasure at Parliament’s rejection of a special tribunal yet there was another option.

"Why is he disappointed yet he has the option of forwarding the names to The Hague. He should tell us why he prefers a local tribunal," added Khalwale. The MP also questioned the US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger’s stand on the issue.

"Is he (Ranneberger) saying The Hague is not good enough to try those implicated? What interest does he have?"

Elsewhere, Coast leaders said the Bill’s defeat is an indication that MP’s have no confidence in the Government.

Resign

Former Mwatate MP Mashengu Wa Mwachofi and the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya Organising Secretary Sheikh Mohammed Khalifa challenged the Government to resign.

"This was a vote of no confidence in the Executive. In the past Kenyans have been treated as onlookers but now they want to take charge of their destiny," Khalifa said.

The Coast Parliamentary Group Chairman Ben Gunda said President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga must realise the Motion went against public expectation and its defeat was the voice of Kenyans.

Gunda said MPs bowed to public pressure to defeat the Bill, saying Kenyans had no confidence in the Judiciary.

Public Demand

The Coast Women in Development Executive Director Betty Sharon and the regional assembly’s chairperson Amina Zuberi said the rejection of the special tribunal was in accordance with public demand.

They claimed the tribunal could have given an opportunity for the two principals to manipulate the judicial system.

Meanwhile, The Standard on Sunday has learnt four Assistant ministers, who had openly voiced opposition to Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2009, switched sides at the last minute.

They include Tourism Assistant Minister Cecily Mbarire, Asman Kamama (Higher Education), Kabando wa Kabando (Youth) and Aden Sugow (Public Service).

Despite all the manoeuvres, President Kibaki and his power-sharing partner Prime Minister Raila Odinga suffered a humiliating defeat in Parliament as they watched. They held four kamukunji’s with MPs to try to rally support for the two Bills.