Resign, Rift MPs tell Raila

A group of MPs want Prime Minister Raila Odinga to resign.

Addressing a news conference at Parliament buildings in Nairobi, the six MPs from the Rift Valley asked Mr Odinga to quit because he was “enjoying the fruits of the (post-election) violence”.

The lawmakers allied to Eldoret North MP William Ruto said Mr Odinga ought to preach peace.

The PM has been engaged in a war of words with Mr Ruto and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta over the pending cases against the two at the International Criminal Court.

“The violence began when the PM refused to concede defeat. It’s that which sparked the violence. If he says he was not involved in the violence, he should resign.

"It took the blood of Kenyans, their death and displacement, for him to be the Prime Minister of Kenya,” said Mr Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany).

The MPs said they had “hit the dog” when they tabled a controversial document in the House, and now the “owners” had come out. The document alleges that Britain was plotting to have the ICC indict President Kibaki and have Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto detained.

However, the UK has dismissed the letter saying it was not genuine.

Mr Kutuny added that there was “more information” on the way regarding The Hague cases. They said the statements issued by the Prime Minister that the suspects should be in jail, were meant to “incite supporters to cause mayhem, so that an arrest warrant is issued” against Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta.

Justice assistant minister William Cheptumo said the PM’s statements were in “bad taste”.

“I find it extremely difficult to imagine that one can say, that nobody should go to a meeting or a prayer session and declare his innocence. Any person who believes he’s innocent can declare his innocence anywhere. Of course they’ll prove their innocence in court,” said Mr Cheptumo.

Kenya is a country where someone is innocent until proven guilty, Mr Cheptumo added. He warned that the pronouncements by the PM were likely to prejudice the cases at The Hague.

"The four Kenyans who’re facing charges at the ICC are Kenyans who should enjoy the benefits of the Constitution,” said Mr Cheptumo.

The MPs, joined by Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central), Luka Kigen (Rongai), Charles Keter (Belgut) and Jackson Kiptanui (Keiyo South) added that they “were not surprised” by the PM’s statements.

“We know what intention he has and we want to tell him that (regardless of) whatever he’s going to say, we’ll not be provoked. We’re calm, planning our own strategies on how to handle the elections of this year or early next year,” said Mr Keter.