Democratic Party opposes push to withdraw from ICC but faults court over Kenya cases

Dr Kumantha called for the strengthening of bodies charged with uniting the country.

DP Organising Secretary Njagi Kumantha (in white) together with Embu County Branch Organising Secretary Nephat Njagi after inspecting the renovated DP office in Runyenjes on April 18, 2016. Dr Kumantha said the party was opposed to the push for Kenya to withdraw from the Rome Statute. PHOTO | CHARLES WANYORO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Dr Kumantha said NCIC was one important body that could help boost integration among Kenyans.
• He said there was no need for a Kenyan to be tried in The Hague-based court saying the country had proper mechanisms to handle its affairs.
• He said the party was of the opinion that the cases against the Kenyans were not handled properly and were biased.

By CHARLES WANYORO
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The Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) has opposed push for Kenya to withdraw from the Rome Statute that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), but expressed displeasure in the way the ‘Ocampo Six’ cases were handled.

The party’s Organising Secretary Njagi Kumantha, however, said they did not see any need for a Kenyan to be tried in The Hague-based court saying the country had proper mechanisms to handle its affairs.

Speaking in Runyenjes Town, Embu on Monday when he inspected the renovation of the party offices, Dr Kumantha called for the strengthening of bodies charged with uniting the country.

He mentioned the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) as an important body that could help boost integration among Kenyans.

“The President and Deputy President said he and the other four are the last people to be taken there. ICC did not come here on its own, it followed the Waki report and Parliament said the cases be taken to The Hague.

“What the President has said is that Kenya has mechanisms to deal with its problems.

“It is not like 2013 when the country didn’t have such an institution,” said Dr Kumantha.

He said the party was , however, of the opinion that the cases against the Kenyans were not handled properly and were biased.

“It was clear from the way the case was being conducted; it was not proper. It was as if ICC wanted to teach Kenyans a lesson. The court has dropped the cases and we have nothing more to complain about. If a thing doesn’t affect you, let it be!” Dr Kumantha said.