"I feel vindicated," Kosgey

Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey said on Tuesday he feels vindicated by the decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court not to confirm the prosecutor’s charges against him.

He attributed the dropping of charges against him to the defence prepared by his defence counsel, who were led by veteran city lawyer George Oraro, Julius Kemboi and the MP’s son, Allan Kosgey.

“I’d like to state that I am very pleased with the decision of the ICC judges not to confirm the charges against me,” he said to applause from ODM members who had packed a press conference at Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi.

“I have always stated that I had nothing to do with the sad events that occurred during the post-election violence in Kenya in 2008. I’m happy that the judges were attentive to the evidence that was presented on my behalf and that I have been vindicated by the court,” he added.

He appealed for calm and expressed his wish to have the victims and Internally Displaced Persons find justice in the fullness of time as he wished the suspects whose charges were confirmed success as their cases go to trial.

Mr Kosgey was accompanied at the press conference by 20 ODM MPs, with Deputy Party Leader Musalia Mudavadi and Lands minister James Orengo escorting him into the room.

The suspended minister for Industrialisation kept journalists waiting for an hour after the scheduled time as the MPs streamed into the venue.

Mr Kosgey has been largely subdued since ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo named him on December 15, 2010 in a list of six Kenyans suspected of playing the greatest role in the violence that left at least 1,133 dead and thousands displaced.

Like former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali, who was also set free by the judges, Mr Kosgey has avoided speaking publicly about his case and the prospects and has not played a substantial role on the affairs of ODM, of which he is chairman.

His press conference at Norfolk Hotel was in the same room he issued his response to the accusations by Mr Moreno Ocampo a few days after the announcement slightly more than a year ago.

It is understood that the press conference had been planned as a small formal affair and with his legal team and Mr Kosgey’s organisers had not arranged to have his party represented there.

Mr Kosgey steered clear of party issues and was non-commital on his next move politically- he is said to be interested in the position of Senator for Nandi County- when he was asked about it.

“We’re assembled here to thank the people for remaining calm and for their prayers. There were very many people who prayed. They come from all parties. I don’t think players were divided into political parties,” said Mr Kosgey.