Coast lawmakers ask ICC to throw out cases against Uhuru and Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto is welcomed by traditional dancers during a homecoming ceremony for Kilifi South MP Mustapha Idd at Vipingo Community Ground on Sunday December 29, 2013. During the function, leaders from the Coast region asked the ICC to drop the cases against Deputy President William Ruto after its chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda admitted that there was no evidence against President Kenyatta. PHOTO/GEORGE KIKAMI.  NATION

In Summary

• The lawmakers called for an end to the cases so that the top leaders have time to deal with issues facing Kenyans.
• Mombasa County Women Representative Mishi Mboko urged Mr Ruto to be courageous as Kenyans rally behind him in a bid to end the “witch-hunt” at the International Criminal Court in the Hague.
• Kwale Women Representative Zainab Chidzuga asked the ICC prosecutor to come out clean and declare Mr Ruto innocent so that he could continue to discharge his duties of serving the nation.

By NATION TEAM
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Coast legislators have asked the ICC to drop the cases against Deputy President William Ruto after its chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda admitted that there was no evidence against President Kenyatta.

Speaking during the homecoming party of Kilifi South MP Mustapha Idd at Vipingo Community Ground on Sunday, the lawmakers called for an end to the cases so that the top leaders have time to deal with issues facing Kenyans.

Mvita MP Abdullswamad Nassir (ODM) said it was clear that the Deputy President has no case to answer after Ms Bensouda made it clear that she has no evidence to implicate President Kenyatta over the 2007/2008 post-election violence.

“If Bensouda has no evidence against the President, I don’t see why a case against Mr Ruto should continue,” he added.

His Jomvu counterpart Badi Twalib (Wiper) said the criminal charges against the President and his Deputy should be dropped to give the two time to work and serve Kenyans adequately.

“The ICC should set Mr Ruto free so that he can continue with his job as the country’s Deputy President. We need him now,” he said.

Mombasa County Women Representative Mishi Mboko urged Mr Ruto to be courageous as Kenyans rally behind him in a bid to end the “witch-hunt” at the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

“Don’t be afraid, we are with you. We know that you will win the case and that our prayers are always with you,” she said.

Kilifi County Senator Stewart Madzayo said he knew in advance that the ICC cases would hit a brick wall based on the evidence so far adduced in court.

According to the former Industrial Court judge, most of the witnesses who appeared in court were “trained liars” out to destroy the reputation of the President and his deputy.

“I knew from the beginning that those so-called ICC witnesses out there were liars that were properly trained to destroy your reputation.

But it is now coming out clearly that you have no case at the ICC. I am a lawyer and I know that you will go nowhere,” he added.

Kwale Women Representative Zainab Chidzuga asked the ICC prosecutor to come out clean and declare Mr Ruto innocent so that he could continue to discharge his duties of serving the nation.

“Leave our sons (Uhuru and Ruto) alone so that they can continue with the huge task of governing this country.

If there is no sufficient evidence against the President, then so be it for the Deputy President.

We need them at home so that they can discharge their duties in this country,” said Mrs Chidzuga.

Skirted issue

However, when he rose to speak, Mr Ruto skirted the ICC issue and instead called for unity among Kenyans.

“We had elections but that is now past. We need to work together as leaders for the benefit of all Kenyans,” he said and gave Sh1 million to Vipingo Youth Bunge for their Jua Kali Shed project.

Area MP Mustapha Idd (ODM) pledged to work with the Jubilee government to realise development for his constituents.

At the same time, Likuyani MP Enock Kibunguchi said the cases had lost relevance, hence the need to terminate them and allow the leaders to serve the nation effectively.

“Time has come for the ICC cases facing President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto to be dismissed as they have lost relevance.

Once the cases come to an end, our leaders will be able to take up their responsibilities efficiently,” he said.

He spoke during a funeral in Moi’s Bridge, Trans-Nzoia County, at the weekend.

Speaking at the same event, Cherangany MP Wesley Korir criticised political leaders, especially MPs within Jubilee, who are fighting the government.

“We as MPs should commit ourselves to doing our work in Parliament and stop polarising this country each and every time with politics,” said Mr Korir.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, who spoke at the event, called upon the National Assembly and the Senate to stick to their different responsibilities of serving Kenyans and stop meddling in the affairs of governors.

Elsewhere, the Kikuyu Council of Elders, Nyeri County chapter, urged Ms Bensouda to drop the charges against Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto.

Speaking to the Nation Monday through their chairman Archbishop John Mugecha, the elders said the admission by Ms Bensouda that she has no sufficient evidence against President Kenyatta is a clear indication that the case has collapsed.

“It seems the chief prosecutor has no proper evidence to prosecute even Deputy President William Ruto and radio presenter Joshua arap Sang,” he said.

The council’s chairman asked the chief prosecutor to drop the cases to avoid further embarrassment.