By BONIFACE GIKANDI and TITUS TOO

The planned trials of two Kenyan presidential hopefuls at the International Criminal Court have been shrugged off by those in the race to State House.

This follows the ICC ruling that has now sent four Kenyan post-election violence accused to full trial.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga chose his words carefully Friday in light of past propaganda attacks that cast him as reveling in the plight of his political rivals. Hereassured the accused and their supporters the days of discomfort would soon end.

Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta, one of the accused, resolved the decision by the ICC Appeal Chamber will not distract him from campaigning and ultimately contesting the presidency. He added nothing will stop him from seeking votes as he aspires to succeed President Kibaki.

The Prime Minister, on the other hand, said the trials facing the four would soon come to an end. He urged Kenyans not to panic over the ICC cases adding justice should be done for the ICC accused.

Called for unity

“Kila kitu ikiwa na mwanzo, lazima pia liwe na mwisho (Whatever has a beginning must also have an end),” said Raila. Without specifying, the PM said he was once charged with a case that would have had serious consequences but he survived. He said: “Mimi nilistakiwa lakini si niko? (I was once charged but I am here with you)”.

The Prime Minister called for unity among all Kenyans and blamed the 2007 post-election violence on the manner the vote tallying was conducted at the KICC. He said those who tampered with the vote tallying at the KICC should take responsibility for the violence that followed. An inquiry into the way the poll was conducted found no evidence there was any tampering at the KICC tallying centre.

Raila was addressing hundreds of mourners during the burial ceremony of Mr Joseph Kiplagat Kogos at Kabongwa village in Eldoret South constituency yesterday.

But speaking in Murang’a yesterday evening, Uhuru said his resolve to vie for the presidency will not be distracted by the case at The Hague.

“The ICC charges and the dismissal of appeal will not stop me from seeking votes from Kenyans,” said Uhuru. He said his lawyers will concentrate on the case while he criss-crosses the country seeking for votes to become the next president.

The DPM, who was the chief guest during the official opening of Gakoigo show in Maragwa, described those keep on dwelling on the past as retrogressive. MPs John Mututho, Elias Mbau, Maina Kamau and Clement Wambugu accompanied him.

“I have no apologies to make for being (Jomo) Kenyatta’s son, we should look at the real issues affecting Kenyans,” said Uhuru.

The DPM spoke a day after a five-judge bench rejected appeals challenging its jurisdiction to try him and three other Kenyans. The other accused are Francis Muthaura, William Ruto and radio personality Joshua arap Sang.

The appeal chamber, presided over by Ghanaian judge Akua Kuenyehia, ruled in an unanimous decision that the ICC had the jurisdiction to hear the cases. Kenyatta and Muthaura had questioned Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo’s definition of Mungiki sect as organised group while Ruto and Sand had a problem with the term “network”. But the judges dismissed the appeal on the grounds that the definitions will be decided during the full trial as they relate to substantive merit of the case not jurisdiction.

On Friday, Uhuru said he was now embarking on seeking votes from Kenyans as he prepares for the presidential race. “My lawyers will concentrate on the case while I’m engaged in seeking support from Kenyans,” said Uhuru who appeared determined to have his name on the presidential ballot paper despite the case hanging over his head.

And Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa widely believed to be Uhuru’s running mate in case he vies, said in Kisumu that there was no law, whether in The Hague or locally, preventing the presidential aspirants from vying because they have only been indicted and not proven guilty.

“Even when convicted and one appeals, no law hinders you from running a political seat unless your appeal periods is exhausted,” he said. Wamalwa, however, maintained the country was ready to cooperate with ICC because it is committed to the Rome statute and had accepted its intervention as a last resort.

From Murang’a, Uhuru called on Kenyans to remain focused and go for leadership that will deliver instead of going for politics of empty rhetoric.

The Gatundu South MP said he will conduct his campaigns preaching peace as well as selling out his policies on employment and enhancing food security.

“I have confidence that Kenya will have enough food if we adopt better farming technologies and secure employment for our youth,” said Kenyatta. In his speech, Mbau, who was the host MP, said the charges against the Hague Four are charges against Kenyans.

Appeal chamber decision

“If it were possible for all Kenyans to be arrested, this is what would have happened,” said the MP.

He said nothing stopped Uhuru from vying for and winning the presidency as other people from the rest of the world.

Mbau cited former Nakuru Town MP Mark Mwithaga who was elected to Parliament while in jail and Sudan President Omar El-Bashir who is wanted by the ICC.

“The DPM is a leader and a hero. How many would have the strength to come to the function after the ICC appeal chamber decision?”, he posed.He thanked Uhuru for The National Alliance (TNA) launch; saying it was the party that the people of Murang’a and the country are scrambling for. Speaking at the same forum where the Prime Minister was, Acting Local Government Minister, Fred Gumo said the ICC issue was a political fight waged against ODM.

He exonerated Raila from claims he is behind the predicaments faced by some leaders facing the charges.

“Hii ni vita tulipangiwa kama ODM. Even Kosgey went to the Hague,” said Gumo.

Gumo said Raila was in support of handling the post-election violence cases locally. Gumo said the cases should be deferred from The Hague and be handled locally before the next General Election.

He told ODM supporters to be firm in the party to enable it win the next polls. He said Ruto and Musalia Mudavadi left the party with portions of supporters who will not make them win the Presidency.

“By moving out by a few, ODM is not finished. We need to remain firm so that we have the strength,” he said. And speaking for the first time after he was cleared from crime against humanity charges at The Hague, Henry Kosgey stated that he would stand by Raila to the end.