MPs dismiss ICC ruling as plot by DPM’s rivals

A group of MPs has said the International Criminal Court’s confirmation of charges against four Kenyans is a deliberate attempt to block deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto from running for presidency.

In a statement issued on Tuesday at a Nairobi hotel by nominated MP Amina Abdalla, the MPs said although they were happy that charges against two of the six suspects had been dropped, they were disheartened by the fact that cases against the remaining four would go to trial.

The other two facing trial at the ICC are Public Service boss Francis Muthaura and radio presenter Joshua Arap Sang.

“We note with regret and are extremely saddened by yesterday’s (Monday’s) decision by the ICC sitting at The Hague to confirm charges against four Kenyans.

“It is clear that there was a deliberate plan to block Uhuru and Ruto from running from presidency,” said Ms Abdalla.

Other MPs who attended the press conference were Prof Sam Ongeri (Nyaribari Masaba), Ms Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes), Ms Naomi Shaban (Taveta), Ms Esther Murugi (Nyeri Town), Mr Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Mrs Lina Jebii Kilimo (Marakwet East) and Mr Ferdinand Waititu (Embakasi).

The statement claimed that Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto’s political opponents, through foreign influence, were putting strategies in place to ensure the two presidential hopefuls withdrew their candidature.

Ms Abdalla assured Kenyans that no amount of foreign or domestic interference would deter Kenyans from voting for their desired leadership.

She called upon Kenyans to respect the law and pursue peace and reconciliation, and added that Mr Ruto and Mr Uhuru’s candidatures were “firmly on course” and that they would be elected to lead the country.