President Uhuru Kenyatta. Mr Kenyatta’s closest allies want him to
travel to The Hague next week for the status conference in his case.
PHOTO | FILE
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s closest allies want him to travel to The Hague next week for the status conference in his case.
This
is a departure from a few weeks ago when many, such as House Majority
Leader Aden Duale, were noisily advising him not to go.
Many
of these allies, who would not speak on the record because State House
discussions are confidential, believe that the case against the
President is on the verge of collapse and that cooperation with the
court was the best policy.
Top government sources said
arrangements were being made for the President’s travel to the
International Criminal Court on Monday where he will likely be the first
sitting Head of State to appear before the judges.
ALSO READ : VICTIMS OPPOSE UHURU'S REQUEST
However, State House was non-committal on the presidential travel plans and the Nation could not independently verify the claims of travel arrangements.
The
circle around the President, including his political allies and
advisers, has previously been sceptical of the wisdom of the President
travelling to The Hague.
Senator Kipchumba Murkomen
(Elgeyo Marakwet), MPs Mary Wambui (Othaya) and Kareke Mbiuki (Maara)
claimed that the ICC was waiting for the President to defy the court
orders to pounce on him with a warrant of arrest.
“We
do not have any fears about the President going to The Hague for the
status conference. Our concern is that they just want to embarrass the
President whichever way they can knowing that they have no case against
him,” said Mr Murkomen by phone.
The senator, who is a
lawyer, said the President will travel to The Hague but accused the ICC
of seeking to raise its profile by having President Kenyatta before it.
BOLSTER THE PROFILE OF THE COURT
“Our
concern is that the President must be respected. They want to use the
President to bolster the profile of the court. It is just an unwarranted
distraction,” he said.
Ms Wambui, who was speaking in
Nyeri, urged the President to fly to The Hague as ordered by the Trial
Chamber headed by Judge Kuniko Ozaki since there was no reason for him
to be arrested while at the ICC.
She said the ICC officials could be looking for an excuse to order the arrest of the President.
“Maybe
they just want him to defy the court order and take legal action
against him so it is advisable for him to comply and hear what Bensouda
wants to say once he goes there in person,” she said.
Mr
Mbiuki, taking cue of his colleagues, said: “We are in support that the
President attends the proceedings. After all, it is just a status
conference and we know that this is a case that the prosecutor is going
to lose. It is on its last legs.”
Traditional Kikuyu
Intercessors, led by their director, Mr Mathenge wa Iregi, too said Mr
Kenyatta should comply with court orders.
Mr Iregi,
accompanied by six other elders, conducted traditional prayers — facing
Mt Kenya — and said he thought the ICC just wanted to make history by
prosecuting a president and his deputy.
“Just like
(former ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno) Ocampo said that the world will
learn from Kenya, we in turn tell them that the world will learn from
the Supreme God we serve who will fight for our country,” he said.
Judges
have summoned Mr Kenyatta in person, convinced the case is at a crucial
point and that the issues to be discussed are important and require his
presence.
No comments :
Post a Comment