Karua tells Ocampo Six to go "quietly"

Gichugu MP Martha Karua has asked the Ocampo Six summoned to The Hague to “go there quietly” rather than create a furore around it March 30, 2011. FILE

Gichugu MP Martha Karua has asked the Ocampo Six summoned to The Hague to “go there quietly” rather than create a furore around it.

Ms Karua took on Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta in Parliament Wednesday, where he was presenting the Supplementary Budget estimates for approval.

Standing across from where Mr Kenyatta sat, Ms Karua said an additional Sh5 billion allocated for “enhanced security” should not be used in the provision of security for rallies organised by the Ocampo Six.

“We need security, but not for security for the big boys. There are more Kenyans than the Ocampo Six,” she charged.

She said the government would have better spent the money on the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons and food for those affected by drought.

Ms Karua and Mr Kenyatta are perceived as political opponents and have supported different candidates in recent by-elections.

Ms Karua said MPs had voted for The Hague option in refusing to approve a Bill she had prepared for the creation of a special tribunal to try the post-election violence suspects when she was Justice minister.

“Lest I am accused of celebrating that people are going to The Hague, let me remind you that I came here and pleaded with you to establish a Special Tribunal. I was told, ‘Don’t be vague, let’s go to The Hague’,” she said.

“Now The Hague has come, take The Hague quietly.”

Ms Karua asked those destined for the International Criminal Court to ask their associates what option they voted for at that time, and what their current stand is.

She said coalition principals President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga tried to convince the MPs to approve the formation of the tribunal when they signed a commitment to either have it in place within 60 days or have the cases handled by the ICC.

Ms Karua also accused the government of a tendency to cater for the needs of the rich at the expense of the poor, who are already saddled with the high cost of living.

“This is a big boys' club, never mind the ages of the big boys,” she said.

Mr Kenyatta has been summoned to The Hague along with Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura, former police chief Hussein Ali, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and radio presenter Joshua arap Sang for an initial appearance on April 7 and 8.