John Mbadi says Richard Onyonka approached him over International Criminal Court meeting

By Roselyne Obala and Rawlings Otieno

Nairobi, Kenya: Suba legislator John Mbadi has publicly admitted he received an invite by his Kitutu Chache South counterpart Richard Onyonka to attend an International Criminal Court (ICC) meeting.

He, however, maintained he was not briefed on the details of the meeting as Onyonka approached him while in the chambers.

He therefore distanced himself from reports that linked him to that meeting, which brought together MPs drawn from both sides of the coalition, CORD and Jubilee, in regards to asking for the deferral of ICC cases affecting President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto.

“Yes the truth be told, Hon Onyonka actually talked to me, he approached me and asked if I we could meet over ICC cases and who from the CORD should be invited to discuss the matter,” he disclosed.

He continued: “We were in the chambers so I did not ask him many questions or the content of the meeting.”

Mbadi said later on before the meeting, he discovered that it was going to be a joint meeting between CORD and Jubilee.

The legislator stated that upon realising this, he decided not to attend the meeting because if it had to be a joint meeting, CORD had to take a position.

“I also decided not to go because the agenda was against my principles and even if the party had sanctioned the same, I would still not attend the meeting,” he stressed.

Mbadi affirmed that CORD’s position is very clear and consistent on what it wants for the country.

“Substantive issues of national importance like that of ICC, membership of the party should stick by party position. CORD has made a pronouncement since 2009 and therefore, any position taken needs to follow the laid down party structures,” he noted.