Palaver 06.04.11

Palaver

All men are equal before God, religious leaders often tell. However, the men and women of God who have been praying for The Hague-bound Uhuru Kenyatta, MP William Ruto and radio presenter Joshua Sang seemed to have forgotten this teaching. Whenever they have been praying for the three, poor Sang has often been left lonely as the church leaders literally strive to place their hands on Ruto and Uhuru.

Is it something to do with military training or is it our politicians who have a penchant for crying foul whenever they are faced with adversity? Palaver salutes Postmaster General Hussein Ali for remaining stoic even as the date with Ocampo loomed. William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta, on the other hand, headed to the International Criminal Court ‘screaming and kicking’. They crowned it all with motherly consolation from former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta.

Someone says subscribing to the ICC is akin to returning to colonialism and being under the white man. Ask who’s talking again: The Government has actually sought the services of a couple of white lawyers to challenge Ocampo’s evidence. Weren’t there any competitive attorneys in Kenya to do that? Or is it just a case of preaching black and taking white?

One of the six suspects said to bear the greatest responsibility in the post-election violence prefers his trials done in Kalenjin, at least through his attorney. What if certain words won’t have direct translations in English? Even Ocampo does not speak as clear English as the suspect, Joshua Sang, does. Unless the evidence is meant for his listeners back home and not for the court.

And finally....

Some Kenyans will be travelling to The Hague to "show solidarity" as the six stand trial. But how will they do this? The court might not accommodate all. Thank God for the ICC’s consideration, there are now 70 seats preserved because of the high number of Kenyans expected. Anyone else locked out will have to find a better way of expressing the solidarity or wait outside.

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