Secrets of Muthaura security talks
The government attempted to put together a team of eminent Kenyans to quell violence after President Kibaki was declared winner of the 2007 elections.
Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Thuita Mwangi told The Hague judges that the team was to hold public meetings and use the media to preach peace. (READ: Battle to save Muthaura)
Among those considered were Internal Security minister George Saitoti, Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, Lt-Gen (Rtd) Daniel Opande, Lt-Gen (Rtd) Lazarus Sumbeiywo and Mr Bethuel Kiplagat.
The names came up as Mr Mwangi took the stand at the International Criminal Court as Mr Muthaura’s second witness.
His testimony was delayed by 30 minutes so that the judges could verify minutes of the National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC) meetings tabled by the defence.
The minutes, extensively referred to by Mr Muthaura’s lawyer Shyambala Alagendra, revealed how the NSAC settled on the eminent Kenyans.
Ms Alagendra: The name of retired Lt-Gen Opende was mentioned. How did this come about?
Mr Mwangi: Names were floated during the meeting. Lt-Gen Opande was considered as a person not just respected, but also impartial.
Ms Alagendra: What about Lt-Gen Sumbeiywo?
Mr Mwangi: He was considered a person who could meet the criteria and could not be prejudiced.
Ms Alagendra: What about Mr Kiplagat Bethuel?
Mr Mwangi: He is a respected person who could do the job.
Ms Alagendra: What about Mr Muthaura?
Mr Mwangi: He was considered most suited among all of us. He was seen as somebody who is not biased and enjoyed the confidence of those he would engage in dialogue.
Ms Alagendra: How were they to achieve their mission? Who were they to appeal to?
Mr Mwangi: This was (to be done) in an ad hoc manner. To appeal to individuals to stop the violence. They were to go out on meetings, press conferences and radio.
Mr Mwangi denied reports that the NSAC or Mr Muthaura directed security operations.
He also said that Mr Muthaura did not issue instructions to Mungiki or ask NSAC not to discuss the outlawed sect.
Mr Mwangi said Mr Muthaura and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta did not plot using Mungiki to keep PNU in power. (READ: Ocampo names five MPs as Mungiki commanders)
He added that he was not aware of any political party that cut deals with the Mungiki ahead of the elections.
Earlier, Mr Mwangi said the 2007 presidential election was closely contested and intelligence officers alerted NSAC of high chances of violence.
“Historically, these were highly contested elections which required that law and order was maintained.
“This (intelligence on possible break-out of violence) information was brought to committee to prepare and take whatever measures to ensure elections were held peacefully in a free and fair atmosphere,” said Mr Mwangi, who was also a member of the NSAC during the post-election violence.
The information, he said, was provided by the National Security Intelligence Service, the police and the provincial administration.
The NSAC, chaired by Mr Muthaura, which recommended deployment of forces to secure civilians who were likely to affected by the violence.
“One of the key recommendations was for the police to deploy more personnel to hotspots. The other key recommendation was to deploy more officers from other security agencies in order to boost the regular police,” he said.
Mr Mwangi was categorical that the information was brought to the security advisory committee as a whole and not specifically to Mr Muthaura to give orders to then Police Commissioner Maj-Gen Hussein Ali.
Ms Alagendra: Was this information brought for Muthaura to take decisions and given orders?
Mr Mwangi: It was brought to committee to discuss and make recommendations and not specifically Muthaura.
