Uhuru team turns on envoys over Ocampo claims

By Francis Ngige, Alex Kiprotich and Geoffrey Mosoku

Kenya: The storm stirred by former International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s confession that he was pressured by diplomats during his Kenyan probe featured in a Jubilee leaders’ meeting at State House in Nairobi.

Sources revealed the meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who alongside his deputy William Ruto are on trial, was dominated by the cases and the Jubilee leaders even resolved to establish a parliamentary select committee to investigate the latest revelations.

The day-long meeting reportedly discussed the ICC cases and resolved the House select committee would now probe the way the investigations were carried out and also attempt to unmask the diplomats who tried to bear pressure on Ocampo to block Uhuru and Ruto from running.

One of the MPs present revealed recent remarks Ocampo that some diplomats had asked him to do more to prevent Uhuru and Ruto from contesting for high office prompted animated discussion.

Jubilee MPs also reportedly pushed for the names of those listed in Justice Phillip Waki’s envelope — referring to list of alleged perpetrators of post-election violence prepared by the commission on post-election led by this judge — be made public.

“The President said the MPs should explore ways of making sure the contents of Waki envelope was made public,” said another MP who attended the meeting.

It emerged the establishment of a parliamentary select committee to probe the ICC issues was endorsed and Leader of Majority Aden Duale tasked to raise the matter in the National Assembly.

“The issue (of ICC) was discussed at length with many speakers saying it was time to expose the truth about the trials which have dented the image of the country. Most of the leaders spoke passionately about the issue,” explained the source, who declined to be quoted discussing the sensitive issue.

Watchdog probe

However, the official dispatch of the President’s press crew was silent on this issue but our sources were emphatic this issue featured prominently. One of our sources added: “The leaders felt there is need for the Government to put pressure on ICC to name the diplomats who were behind the scheme to stop the President and his deputy from vying.”

The ICC issue emerged after MPs asked the President and his deputy for direction in light of Ocampo’s remarks.

President Kenyatta is also understood to have spoken out passionately against corruption saying the vice must come to an end.

The President reportedly vowed he would not allow corruption “to taint his Government” and that “heads would roll soon.”

But President was emphatic the controversial standard gauge railway project, now the subject of a parliamentary watchdog probe, would go on “despite an attempt by some people to derail the project.”

The dispatch from State House indicated the President extolled key programmes including the rail project that he said would reduce transport cost. Ruto also defended the project.

The sharing out of the party funds also featured. “It was the feeling of members that The National Alliance and United Republican Party funds are put in one account so that the coalition could execute their political activities together,” said an MP.

Another MP from North Rift said the leaders also agreed to have a two-day retreat with the two principals before the end of the month to discuss issues that were not adequately addressed.

At the meeting, which began at around 10.30am and ended at about 5pm, the President explained to the 213 MPs in attendance his Government’s legislative agenda.

The statement from State House quoted the President thanking the MPs for supporting the Government in the last parliamentary session and rallied them to do the same in the session that opens Tuesday.

“The success of the Executive is hinged on the Legislature’s work. The Bills you pass will help the Government meet its pledges to the people of Kenya,” President Uhuru said.

 The President told MPs to play their role effectively in keeping the Executive in check, but warned against “over-concentration on the negativities.”

 Duale identified the key business of the Government in the Houses as Westgate terror attack, Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) reports, Business Registration Bill, Insolvency Bill, Finance Bill, Division of Revenue Bill and budget-making process.

Security chiefs

Yesterday, Duale told The Standard it was agreed that eight bills that have constitutional timelines of August 27 will be published by May and debated in June and July.

 Among the issues that are likely to generate heat in the House include the probe into the controversial railway contract being undertaken by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy dominated Public Investments Committee (PIC).

 The multi-billion tender awarded to Chinese firm has sparked a row, with the Government facing criticism over the integrity of the contract and what it will cost Kenyans in the long run.

 Even more worrying to the Government is that opposition to the project is also led by a section of Jubilee MPs mainly from URP.

Battlefront

 The coalition is determined to flex its muscles to amend the TJRC, which named its key figures.

 The report on the Westgate mall terror attack is likely to cause a storm because a section of MPs have said security chiefs should be held to account.

 Meanwhile, CORD yesterday signaled another battlefront with declaration it would revive the push to overhaul Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in Parliament.

 “We must, in this session, initiate the process of forming a new and credible Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission that can be trusted by all Kenyans regardless of political affiliations. That process must begin in our Parliament, with the support of all our members,” former PM Raila Odinga told his MPs ahead of today’s reconvening of the House.