MPs criticise varsity for honouring Kibaki and Raila
MPs Gitobu Imanyara and Bonny Khalwale on Sunday said the President and Prime Minister needed to be held accountable for failing to act against known perpetrators of violence from their parties.
The two MPs whose parties are allied to PNU criticised the University of Nairobi for honouring the two for the peace accord they signed early this year.
“From the Waki and Kriegler reports, it is clear that leadership within PNU and ODM were involved in the post election violence,’’ said Mr Imanyara
He added, “By giving an award to the leadership of these two parties before they disclose what action they are taking against their members who are guilty, University of Nairobi discredits its own prestige as the top most institution of higher learning in Kenya.’’
Dr Khalwale said the two leaders were not blameless as it was their supporters who either incited or were involved in the killings.
“If (President) Kibaki and (Prime Minister) Raila are blameless then nobody can be blamed,” the MP said.
The MP said the two leaders did not deserve the honorary degrees. He said the Waki report should be implemented in full but those in the secret list handed to Kofi Annan should not be charged with criminal offences.
“The moment we start charging them on criminal offences the supporters will rise and ask, where is Kibaki and where is Raila,’’ said the New Ford Kenya MP.
At the same time, four MPs opposed full implementation of the Waki report.
Be debated
Juja MP George Thuo (PNU) supported its implementation, but said it should first be debated by Parliament and the public.
MPs opposing criminal charges against the suspects are ODM’s Musa Sirma (nominated), his Rongai’s Luka Kigen and Sospeter Ojaamong (Amagoro) and PNU’s Joseph Kiuna (Molo).
Mr Sirma and Mr Kigen said it was wrong for the commission to absolve President Kibaki and Mr Odinga from blame as they jointly drove the country to the precipice due of their political stand-off.
Mr Kiuna said although it was good to punish those who committed crimes against humanity, it would “only be good if punishing them will heal the country.”
Mr Ojaamong said a tribunal would only lead to fresh chaos in the country. Judicial Vicar of Nairobi Catholic archdiocese Callistus Nyagilo told the State to act prudently.
The Reverend Andrew Ouma of the African Inland Church in Kibera said the Waki report was “very sensitive” and needed to be addressed carefully.
Reports by David Mugonyi, Muchemi Wachira, Caroline Wafula and Benjamin Muindi.
