Oburu: Only Ruto can stop me from testifying at ICC

What you need to know:

  • Dr Oginga was speaking in Bureti Constituency, Kericho County, when he led six other MPs from Kisumu and Homa Bay counties to the funeral of prominent Kalenjin elder Mr Paul Munai where the Ruto ICC "fixing" debate dominated.
  • Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma (ODM) said many opposition MPs were prepared to testify for Mr Ruto, adding that though they were not seen attending the much publicised anti-ICC prayer rallies, the MPs have also been praying for the URP leader to be freed from the ICC.
  • Mr Outa wondered why Kericho Senator Charles Keter kept quiet on claims he made two years ago that the people who had "fixed" Mr Ruto were in government.

Nominated MP Oburu Oginga Odinga has said only the Deputy President can stop him from heading to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to testify.

Dr Oginga was speaking in Bureti Constituency, Kericho County, when he led six other MPs from Kisumu and Homa Bay counties to the funeral of prominent Kalenjin elder Mr Paul Munai where the Ruto ICC "fixing" debate dominated.

He dismissed as inconsequential statements by some Jubilee leaders led by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale asking him to keep off the ICC matter, adding that his testimony could be crucial to Deputy President William Ruto’s rescue from the (ICC).

He reiterated a statement he had made before that he believed Mr Ruto was innocent of the charges facing him at The Hague-based court.

He said he was with Mr Ruto for several days after the disputed 2007 presidential elections and did not hear him plan the post-poll violence as claimed in the court papers.

'NOISEMAKER DUALE'

“I am still prepared to travel to The Hague and give evidence to support Ruto. This noisemaker Duale is playing politics with the ICC issue. He cannot tell me that my testimony is useless. I will only back out of this matter if Ruto himself tells me that he does not need my testimony,” he said.

Dr Oginga added that the individuals who have been named by ODM leader Raila Odinga as having been part of the plan to "fix" the DP should be ferried to The Hague where they should tell the court how and why they fixed the DP.

He said he did not understand why President Uhuru Kenyatta had not taken action against Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria after the lawmaker said he was one of the people who had fixed the DP at the court by hiring and coaching witnesses.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, who was at the function, also asked those who were behind the ICC fixing to go to the court and withdraw the lies they made against the DP and journalist Joshua arap Sang so that their cases can be terminated.

'MOUTH OF CROCODILE'

Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma (ODM) said many opposition MPs were prepared to testify for Mr Ruto, adding that though they had not being seen attending the much publicised anti-ICC prayer rallies, the MPs have also been praying for the URP leader to be freed from the ICC.

He accused Jubilee leaders of trying to portray ODM leaders as seeking the imprisonment of the Deputy President by the ICC and called on Kenyans to pray harder as the court’s judges deliberate over whether Ruto has a case to answer and whether to put him on his defence.

“If his charges are confirmed, we will be there to support him. We will not sit and watch as Mr Ruto is pushed into the mouth of a crocodile. I cannot imagine a time when William Ruto will not be in this country,” he said.

Nyando MP Fred Outa said ODM has "long been ready" to testify on Ruto’s behalf but has not been given the chance to do so.

He dismissed allegations that ODM leader Raila Odinga did anything to "fix" the DP, calling him one of the "heroes of ODM" before, during and after the 2007 General Elections who did everything to take Mr Odinga to State House.

“Now Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, pro-government MP, has come out to say he coached witnesses to give false testimony against Mr Ruto and we wonder why he is still in government. We are ready to support Ruto so that he is not sacrificed for the 2007/08 violence,” he said.

Mr Outa wondered why Senator Keter kept quiet on claims he made two years ago that the people who had "fixed" Mr Ruto were in government.

Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga noted that the people who were behind Mr Ruto’s ICC troubles have been working with him in government and demanded that MP Kuria and other alleged "fixers" be forced to travel to The Hague to tell the court how they coached witnesses.

Other leaders who attended the funeral ceremony include former Roads minister Franklin Bett and former MPs Nick Salat and Paul Sang.