Ocampo suspects to attend rally
Left to right: Legislators Mangi Kiunjuri, Lewis Nguyai, and Ferdinand Waititu (second from right) in an inspection tour of Uhuru Park on April 10, 2011. PHOTO / WILLIAM OERI
Legislators allied to Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto have indicated the duo will attend Monday's rally at Uhuru Park.
This is in spite of a warning by ICC pre-trial judge Ekaterina Trendafilova to the Ocampo six suspects not to engage in activities that may inflame tensions.
The MPs allied to Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto however said the event will be a prayer rally for the Ocampo six.
A schedule of events released by the rally's organisers indicated there will be procession from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Uhuru park through Jogoo road. The main rally will kick-off at 11.30am and end at 6.30pm.
The MPs on Sunday made an inspection tour of the venue for the 'homecoming' rally.
" We have obtained a permit from the Police. We have paid the fees to Nairobi City Council and expect our supporters to come in numbers," said Aden Duale.
Other MPs present at the inspection tour were Mwangi Kiunjuri, Ferdinand Waititu, Lewis Nguyai, Joshua Kutuny, Zakayo Cheruiyot, Gideon Mbuvi and Philip Kaluki.
Meanwhile a group of lobbyists under the Katiba Sasa initiative have appealed to the Ocampo six against making the ICC process assume an ethnic dimension.
“ We urge leaders to stop going around the country seeking ethnic unquestionable support and claiming they are facing charges because of belonging to certain communities”, said Mr Simeka of Projects and Allied Consultants.
“ We urge anyone who has mandate as leader to stop raising passions and whipping up ethnic emotions just because they are faced with personal challenges,” added Maurice Odhiambo.
