MPs ‘will cater’ for bills in trip to The Hague

Naivasha MP John Mututho, who is one of the organisers of the trip, confirmed on March 24, 2011 that each MP willing to travel to The Hague would take care of their own bills. Photo/FILE

MPs going to The Hague to show solidarity with Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto will pay for their travel and accommodation.

Naivasha MP John Mututho, who is one of the organisers of the trip, confirmed that each MP willing to travel to The Hague would take care of their own bills.

There are two groups organising the journey to The Hague — one comprising MPs allied to Mr Kenyatta and the other of MPs allied to Mr Ruto.

Whereas the Nation established 10 MPs will join Mr Kenyatta on the trip, it was not immediately clear how many MPs would travel with Mr Ruto.

“I can confirm that from the Uhuru side there will be 10 MPs travelling. Individual members will meet their own expenses. I personally will not travel,” he told Nation.

Mosop MP David Koech said it was hard to tell how many MPs would travel to The Hague to show solidarity with Mr Ruto because none of them had obtained air tickets.

“It is difficult because everyone is making their own arrangements and many are yet to secure air tickets to enable them travel.

“We also do not want very many MPs to go because Parliament is in session so we do not want to paralyse parliamentary business,” Mr Koech said.

We, however, learnt that Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu was one of the MPs who had already secured his air ticket.

“I can confirm that only Mr Waititu has got his ticket,” said an MP who sought anonymity.

On Thursday, Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo rubbished efforts by Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta’s supporters to travel to The Hague, saying it was an exercise in futility.

Addressing Rotarians at a luncheon, Mr Kilonzo said: “Kenyans shouting at the ICC, suggesting that it is like a Kenyan court where you can go with your supporters to show political might, be advised that you are in for a rude shock.”