Raila praises ICC for freeing Kosgey

• Prime Minister says he is ready to face all his opponents in the next presidential election

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Saturday praised the decision by the International Criminal Court to set free two of the suspects of Kenya’s post-election violence.

Mr Odinga singled out Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey who he said was snatched from the “jaws of a lion” because he was innocent.

“People died during the post-election violence and we want the truth to be known,” Mr Odinga told a cheering crowd at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

He had come to Nakuru to commemorate Saba Saba Day — the day change movement leaders led by Mr Kenneth Matiba and Mr Charles Rubia — were arrested at the Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi after calling a rally to agitate for multiparty democarcy. Mr Odinga was in the group that was detained for agitating for multi-party politics.

The ODM presidential candidate revisited the 2007-2008 election violence, saying Kenyans that lives were lost.

“We have people who died here in Nakuru and other parts of the country, including Eldoret, Naivasha and even Kisumu and so the truth must be known,” Mr Odinga said.

Mr Kosgey, who was present at the Nakuru rally, was set free together with former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali following the confirmation of charges hearing over crimes against humanity charges related to the 2008 polls chaos violence.

The violence left more than 1,300 people dead while more than 600,000 were uprooted from their homes.

Eldoret North MP William Ruto, radio presenter Joshua Sang, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and former Head of the Civil Service Francis Muthaura are awaiting trial.

Mr Odinga once again rebuffed claims that he was behind the prosecution of Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta at the ICC.

“They came and said I am the one who is taking people to The Hague because I fear that they would beat me in the presidential race. I have said again and again that those who want to be president, let’s all go to the ballot, ODM does not fear anyone,” Mr Odinga told the crowd that had braved a heavy downpour to listen to him.

Mr Kosgey said that the party would rally behind a leader who will implement the new Constitution and reconcile all Kenyans “especially in the Rift Valley where we have had bitter rivalry between communities.”

“Raila has proved that he is capable of doing that,” said Mr Kosgey.

During the meeting a longtime ally of President Kibaki, Mr Mark Mwithaga, announced his defection to ODM. “It is after re-examining myself that I decided to join ODM,” said Mr Mwithaga.

He is a former Nakuru Town MP and a founder member of Democratic Party of Kenya.

Mr Odinga will today address another political rally at Ravine town in Baringo County.