Friday, September 20, 2013
Drama as Hague police kick out Kenyan MPs
Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi (centre) and Kirinyaga Central lawmaker Joseph Gitari confront a Dutch policeman moments after the politicians were ordered to leave the ICC precincts Friday. BILLY MUTAHI/NATION
In Summary
- Some have narrowly escaped being knocked down by cyclists in front of the court. They often stand on bicycle lanes— leaving the locals marvelling at either their ignorance or disobedience of traffic rules.
By Walter Menya
Dutch police Thursday dramatically ordered Kenyan MPs to keep off the entrance to the ICC building in The Hague.
The lawmakers had been joined by former Commissioner of Police Hussein Ali— himself a former suspect in the crimes against humanity cases that arose from post-2007 election violence, raising questions about his presence.
The politicians, who accompanied Deputy President William Ruto in a show of solidarity, were lost for words when local police insisted that they move away from the entrance. This is where they have been lining up every morning to greet Mr Ruto.
The encounter with the Dutch officers caught the lawmakers by surprise. They protested, with some shouting: “We are the accused. We are part of the Rome Statute.” But the police would hear none of it.
The tension briefly eased when Mr Ruto arrived and the MPs and Nandi Women Representative Zipporah Kering went into prayer.
After the solemn moment, the officers insisted on escorting them and journalists to the public entrance. The two officers had the entire group enter the ICC building through the public entrance.
One of the officers, while declining to say what penalty one could suffer for disobeying the order, told the Kenyans they would no longer be allowed to stand outside the court. However, they are free to wait for Mr Ruto and his co-accused, Mr Joshua arap Sang, across the road— at least 20 metres away.
The behaviour of the 25 MPs and senators has left many Dutch nationals curious of what is happening in the ICC building. The politicians have, for instance, been kneeling and praying daily outside the court entrance as soon as Mr Ruto arrives for his trial.
During their stay in The Hague, the MPs have been frequenting Santos Restaurant in the centre of Scheveningen Village and popular surrounding entertainment spots.
Some have narrowly escaped being knocked down by cyclists in front of the court. They often stand on bicycle lanes— leaving the locals marvelling at either their ignorance or disobedience of traffic rules.
Life has become a dreary routine for them as hired buses drop them every morning and pick them in the evening— an expensive undertaking here. They are staying in hotels charging between 76 euros (Sh8,850) and 240 euros (Sh27,930) per day.
The Kenyans also have to contend with the cold weather, since it is autumn in Europe. Most of them have been wearing heavy jackets and sporting replicas of Mr Ruto’s trademark cap.
Most of the MPs are expected to leave for Nairobi between today and tomorrow. But another group will be coming to The Hague.
A surprise appearance yesterday was Mr Ali, who was accompanied by lawyer Donald Kipkorir.
The former police boss would not say whether he was there at the court’s invitation or to make an application.
“It would be prejudicial to discuss such matters. If there is anything concerning my case, it is certainly not today. May be later,” he said.
He said he had gone to give moral support to the Deputy President.
“As a person who has gone through this process, I know what they are going through,” he said.
Mr Ali was a suspect in the second Kenyan case alongside President Kenyatta and former civil service boss Francis Muthaura.
The pre-trial chamber on January 23, acquitted him. Although charges against Mr Muthaura were confirmed, he was also let off the hook much later.
Mr Ruto’s trial was adjourned to Monday when the prosecution will continue cross-examining Witness 536 in private.
Mr Sang expressed his displeasure with the decision to hold closed sessions.
“When it was declared that we bore the greatest responsibility for the crimes it was in public. The summonses to appear were issued in public and our names have been dragged through the mud,” Mr Sang said, accompanied by lawyer Joel Bosek.
“Yet, when we thought the nation could get to know the truth, the chamber decided to go into closed sessions. My wife and other family members are not here to know the truth. They have been relying on TV.”
Friday, September 20, 2013
MPs to blame for ICC trials, says Elizabeth Ongoro
Senator Elizabeth Ongoro who has accused some MPs of dividing the country by blaming others for ICC trials. PHOTO/DANIEL IRUNGU
In Summary
- MPs change of heart to push for the trials to be brought near home is late
- Kenya’s decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute was in bad faith
- President Uhuru and Mr Ruto have a platform to vindicate themselves
By DENNIS ODUNGA
Misinformation that cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC) would take years to commence duped MPs to reject a local tribunal to handle the 2007/08 post-election violence cases.
Nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro said it was unfortunate that some of the MPs, who were opposed to establishing a local tribunal to try suspected masterminds of the violence, were dividing the country along ethnic lines by blaming others for the turn of events.
The Senator said the MPs change of heart to push for the trials to be brought near home was coming late in the day and would do little to enhance efforts being made towards national reconciliation and healing.
“There was a fallacy. People understood the cases would take off when they are long dead. Some people claimed that even cases related to second world war are still pending before the court,” the Senator told the press in her office.
She said the country’s decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute was in bad faith as it left Kenyans without an option should a similar scenario befall them in future.
The Senator said the country needed a neutral body in the event a ruler decides to govern disregards of the rule of law.
Ms Ongoro said, “We make decisions based on issues that are not weighty and not viewed at through the lenses of future generations. Withdrawing from the Rome Statute would be one of the most costly mistakes this country ever made.”
The Senator added, “We need a global platform to intervene when conflicts get out of control to be handled in-house Who will cushion a given community if a ruler one day decides to get rid of it through a silent decree?”
She said the 2007 General Election was peaceful, despite of the complaints that came up, because people were still alive with the ICC.
COMPROMISE PEACE
She challenged her fellow legislators to put the country’s interests first and desist from handling the ICC matters with emotions as that would polarize the country further and compromise the gains so far realised in building peace.
“The trial has commenced and let’s reminds Kenyans how we have reached this level instead of fighting the process. We may be judges in our own right but at this level politicians should stop fanning hatred by making statements that divide the country farther,” she said.
Ms Ongoro recounted how she had to flee the country soon after the 2007 elections due to threats to her life and challenged leaders to play an active role in bringing the country together especially at this time when the President and his deputy are facing charges.
“I was under siege from the time my results in Kasarani were announced after the 2007 General Election. At one point, my competitors had to escort me to my house. Those who died were close to me and I am yet to overcome the mental anguish this chaos caused me,” she said.
The Senator said President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy, Mr William Ruto at least have an opportunity to tell the world what happened as opposed to some of those linked to chaos through reports.
“I want a scenario where an accused can look at his accusers in the eye as opposed to when you are mentioned wrongly and your name is just splashed to the public. At least the two (President Uhuru and Mr Ruto) have a platform to vindicate themselves,” she said.
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