NGOs accused of pushing Ruto case
Jubilee coalition leaders attend prayers for ICC-accused Deputy President William Ruto and former journalist Joshua Sang at Olkalau, Nyandaraua County, on November 8, 2015. The leaders are accusing two NGOs of frustrating efforts to have cases against Deputy President Ruto and Sang in The Hague dropped. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The more than 100 lawmakers pointed an accusing finger at the Africa Centre for Open Governance (Africog) and Amnesty International.
- He said Kenya would withdraw from the Rome Statute if the court fails to revoke amendments in the Rule 68 and also allow the oversight mechanism to be put in place.
Senators and MPs allied to the Jubilee coalition are accusing two NGOs of frustrating efforts to have cases against Deputy President William Ruto and radio presenter Joshua Sang in The Hague dropped.
The more than 100 lawmakers, who spoke in Ol Kalou on Sunday during a prayer rally for the two, pointed an accusing finger at the Africa Centre for Open Governance (Africog) and Amnesty International.
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and his Senate counterpart Kithure Kindiki said they listed three agenda they wanted addressed over the cases but the two NGOs wrote to ICC opposing the move.
“We shall now take the battle to their doorstep at The Hague and Mr Kidiki and I will lead from the front,” said Mr Duale.
He accused the organisations of having tried to block President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto from vying during the last elections.
“Now they are at it again on the ICC issue but we are ready to face them and 100 legislators and senators will camp at The Hague for more than 10 days,” said Mr Duale.
He said Kenya would withdraw from the Rome Statute if the court fails to revoke amendments in the Rule 68 and also allow the oversight mechanism to be put in place.
RECANTED EVIDENCE
The amendment will allow use of recanted evidence, and this has angered Jubilee MPs and senators.
Mr Duale said they would ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to travel to the Hague to start the process of withdrawing the country from the Rome Statute.
He said they would also push to have the position of African Union on The Hague-based court adopted.
The African Union (AU) wants member states to implement a policy of non-cooperation with the ICC.
Prof Kindiki said the push to withdraw from the ICC was not an empty threat.
“We are telling the ICC that if they don’t revoke the amendments they illegally made on the Rule 68 ..., we shall tell them good bye,” said Prof Kindiki.
He accused Africog of working at the behest of it ‘paymasters’ to influence the jailing of Mr Ruto and Mr Sang.
Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho said the case is likely to affect the peace that Kenya has enjoyed since the 2007 violence.
“These cases are the biggest threat to peace in Kenya,” he said.
Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi said he would facilitate more than 100 citizens to attend hearings in The Hague.
AIC cleric John Kanyi who offered final prayers asked leaders to tone down their language.
