Raila says he won’t address ICC issue
PHOTO | VINCENT JANNINK | FILE This picture taken on September 5, 2011 shows the International Criminal Court's building (ICC) in The Hague. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said he would not publicly address the International Criminal Court indictments of Kenya’s president and deputy president during his visit to the United States.
NEW YORK
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said on Tuesday he would not publicly address the International Criminal Court indictments of Kenya’s president and deputy president during his visit to the United States.
“I don’t want to discuss that,” Mr Odinga said in an interview with Nation. “I have been talking about how to promote US-Kenya relations so they don’t suffer as a result of the ICC.”
Mr Odinga added that he saw no sign of damage to the long-standing friendship between the US and Kenya despite an Obama administration official’s warning earlier this year of “consequences” if Kenyan voters chose certain candidates.
Any distancing on Washington’s part due to the charges against Kenya’s leaders will be “a temporary thing,” Mr Odinga said.
“Everyone I met (during a four-day visit to the US) recognises the US and Kenya are tied together. They see there’s a need for the relationship to continue despite whatever may be in between,” he said.
Asked if he thought President Obama was sidestepping Kenya because of the ICC indictments, Mr Odinga said “I don’t know the reason for his decision” not to visit the country.
“I’m still hoping he will come to Kenya during his term in office,” the Orange Democratic Movement leader added.
President Obama was attending the G-8 summit meeting in Ireland while Mr Odinga was in Washington.
