Wiper castigates defiant Mutula over ICC remarks

By Mutinda Mwanzia

The Wiper Democratic Movement has warned that it will take disciplinary action against Secretary General Mutula Kilonzo if he continues making "insensitive" remarks concerning two presidential candidates facing criminal charges at International Criminal Court.

But the party also offered an olive branch to Mutula saying it would initiate internal party mechanisms to resolve the standoff pitting the Justice Minister and Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka over the ICC remarks.

Party Vice-Chairman David Musila said that Mutula’s view on whether Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto are eligible to vie for the presidency was personal and had nothing to do with the party.

Displeasure

"As a party, we are not pleased with the statements being uttered by Mutula and we will meet on February I6 to discuss his conduct if he does not stop making the utterances,’’ said Musila on Tuesday.

Mutula did not attend the party National Executive Council meeting but sent his apologies. Instead, he opted to attend the cremation of Senior Counsel Satish Gautama at the Kariakor crematorium.

Mutula joked that he hoped his presence with ODM leaders Anyang’ Nyong’o and James Orengo would not lead to him being kicked out of the Wiper party.

Status quo

And speaking to The Standard later, the Justice minister said his position on Uhuru and Ruto would not change.

"The matter is much bigger than the Wiper Democratic Party and not reversible. Only the country, the people of Kenya can reverse that and over rule me," he added.

Mutula said he was shocked at the stance his party had taken over the matter.

"Instead of taking credit for having produced the first Justice minister who has spearheaded reforms, they are busy engaging themselves with matters which the law is so explicit yet they refuse to accept," he added.

WDM party leader and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka also attended the NEC meeting but left the venue before Musila and other officials addressed the media. Conspicuously missing at the meeting was vocal Kangundo MP and PNU Chief Whip Johnstone Muthama.