MPs fault colleagues over remarks on ICC credibility

By PETER OPIYO

ODM MPs have accused some leaders of politicising the International Criminal Court process regarding the trial of post-election violence suspects.

They said it was unfortunate some MPs were trivialising the matter yet some victims of the poll chaos remain displaced.

The legislators said it would be in order for politicians to wait and let the law take its course, adding the ICC was a credible court.

"The most unfortunate thing about this propaganda campaign is that it was started by none other than Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka," Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu claimed at a Press conference.

They said Kalonzo started off the propaganda in Nandi two weeks ago when he claimed the ICC was being used to eliminate Eldoret North MP William Ruto from the 2012 presidential race.

The MPs also denied ODM gave out the names of Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura, Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali to ICC at the height of the post-election violence.

Bonchari MP Charles Onyancha, Simeon Ogari (Bomachoge), John Mbadi (Gwassi) and nominated MP Rachael Shebesh were present.

They said some politicians were rubbishing the ICC yet it is a court of repute, and wondered why those accused of committing crimes against humanity were worried, yet they claim they are innocent.

"ICC is of repute and if the evidence is all rubbish as some MPs claim, the Pre-Trial Chamber will dismiss it. We wish to remind the MPs that ICC is not a Kangaroo court. Even in Ocampo’s original application, some judge dissented," said Chanzu.

Ruto motion

Onyancha criticised the Motion by Chepalungu MP Isaac Rutto calling for withdrawal of Kenya from the ICC, saying this did not have the blessing of Kenyans.

Chanzu warned anti-ICC campaigns by some politicians were likely to cause unnecessary tension. "We fear a tiny clique of ambitious politicians, lacking in support and wanting in leadership credentials, is determined to use the ICC process to their advantage and in the process, fan tension among Kenyans," he said.