Bishop blames ODM for post-poll violence

Radio presenter Joshua Sang’s second witness Bishop Jackson Kosgei on Wednesday told the International Criminal Court that the violence in Kenya was triggered by calls for mass action by ODM leaders in Nairobi.

The bishop said it was after the announcement of the presidential results that violence started in Nairobi. (Read: Varsity don says he never heard Sang incite public)

He added that it was ODM secretary general, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, who called for mass action and people went to the streets and the protest hijacked by looters and other criminals.

“Kenyans conducted high profile peaceful campaigns, presidential results were delayed. There was a misunderstanding between the contenders and the electoral commission. After the announcement, chaos broke out in Nairobi and Kisumu,” said Bishop Kosgei.

The clergyman took the stand at 4pm Kenyan time and was taken through his testimony by lawyer Philemon Koech.

Bishop Kosgei also denied that there was a network that was organising to evict other Kenyans adding the government would have known this.

“Kenya is an independent country with a refined structure of security apparatus and intelligence and with this kind of structure then the question should not arise whether the government would be aware of such planning,” said Bishop Kosgei.

He denied having ever held any meetings to discuss the planning of the violence with any of the three suspects or those who are alleged to have been following their orders.

The bishop told the court that Kenya has had a history of violence related to elections adding the governance of resources was also an issue.

“There are past riots in Kenya… in I969 after Mboya’s death, in 1975 following the death of JM Kariuki, in 1982 over the aborted coup. Clashes after 1992 polls but government has made peace efforts that culminated in a peaceful referendum last year,” said Bishop Kosgei.

Bishop Kosgei said he did not hear any incitement or coded language adding that Mr Sang’s audience is cosmopolitan and he would not use such language.

He added that broadcasting is controlled by the government and any incitement would be identified easily.

He added that various political leaders including presidential candidates other than President Kibaki went for interviews at Kass FM.

He added that the main competition was between ODM and PNU in the general elections.

He said they started applying for the registration of Emo Foundation, of which he is patron, in 2008 and this only happened in 2010.

Emo Foundation was working with government and other foreign states, especially the US, to foster peace in the Rift Valley.

The clergyman said the foundation was a welfare organisation that did not discriminate in its membership.

He added that none of the suspects were members and Mr Sang attended their meetings in his capacity as a journalist.

He also dismissed claims by the prosecution that Emo Foundation did fundraise Sh1.2 billion to sponsor the violence.

Bishop Kosgei said Mr Ruto had been honoured as an elder adding that the Eldoret North MP could not qualify as the “undisputed de facto leader” of their community.

“Kalenjins are not owned by the leaders as their words are not binding since we are a community of consensus. For instance, Mr Ruto was urged to back Uhuru (Kenyatta) in 2002 by us,” said Bishop Kosgei.