Legislators laud President Uhuru's decision to honour The Hague summons

President Uhuru arrives at Parliament building with the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi and Speaker of the Senate Ekwee Ethuro.  PICTURE BY GOVEDI ASUTSA

MPs have welcomed President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision to transfer power to his deputy William Ruto, saying his attendance at The Hague proceedings safeguard the rule of law while protecting the country's sovereignty.

Elgeyo/Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen praised the Head of State's decision to attend the status conference at the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a private citizen, saying he has killed two birds with one stone.

"The President has managed to obey the court summons but not put the sovereignty of Kenya on the line. Kenya is not on trial. I am sure the Prosecutor had hoped that Uhuru would not honour the summons to cover up her lack of case against him," he said.

He added that the President had not 'betrayed' the recent African Union decision calling on sitting African heads of state from appearing at the ICC to answer charges.

Wajir West MP Abdullahi Ore, a CORD legislator, praised Uhuru's move to honour the summons.

"No one wants the President of Kenya to be an international outlaw with an arrest warrant hanging over his head like the President of Sudan Omar Al Bashir. So he made a wise decision in the best interest of Kenyans," he said.

Mbooni MP Kisoi Munyao, also a CORD MP, said the President did a wise thing to obey the summons.

Kitui Senator David Musila said the President had given a boost to the rule of law.

"The President is convinced he is innocent of the charges against him. So there was no reason for him not to go to The Hague to clear his name. I wouldn't have wanted an arrest warrant against the leader of 40 million Kenyans," he said.

But Siaya Senator James Orengo, who arrived at Parliament buildings after the President had read his speech, termed Uhuru's announcement as "unnecessary political drama."

He said it was unnecessary for Uhuru to have recalled both houses of Parliament.

"The President didn't have to appoint Ruto as acting President. This provision of the Constitution is self-executing. Every time the President goes out of the country, the Deputy President automatically assumes reigns of leadership as acting President. There was no need for all this drama," he said.