Opposition: Kenya could end up with fugitive President

By RENSON BULUMA

Busia, Kenya: Senior CORD coalition leaders Saturday asked President Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto to continue with their cases at the International Criminal Court.

They also cautioned that Kenya could end up with a fugitive President and Deputy President if Uhuru and Ruto stop attending cases at the Hague.

The ICC issue took centre stage as four senators, 10 MPs, two governors and local leaders attended the burial service of Alice Amuoma Wako, the mother of Senator Amos Wako at St Stephens Lwanya Girls, Matayos in Busia county.

High threshold

Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ dismissed Foreign Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed’s statement that no President has appeared before the court.

“Amina said she has never seen a country where a sitting President is called to court, but I have also never seen anywhere in the world where a suspect of crimes against humanity is elected President,” said Kajwang’.

Siaya Senator James Orengo said the best solution for the country is for the two to continue with cases. “The threshold is very high. They are likely to come out if they hire good lawyers,” he said.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale asked Uhuru to address Parliament as required by the Constitution and state his foreign policy before the end of the year.

“Every calendar year, he is expected to state his foreign policy and we therefore want him to tell us his position on ICC,” said Khalwale.

He said the President’s absence at the Commonwealth meeting because of a decision made by the African Union does not serve Kenya’s interests.

Kenyan problem

Funyula MP Paul Otuoma started the debate when he claimed that since the President took over leadership while facing the charges, the ICC case automatically became a Kenyan problem.

“They should not engage in sideshows. The writing is on the wall because the case is going to full process. The African Union and others will not help them,” said Otuoma.

The UN Security Council on Friday rejected Kenya’s bid to delay the ICC cases by a year. The 15-member Security Council was split with seven members, including Russia and China, voting to approve the move, while eight members, including France, the US and UK, abstained.