AG slams NGOs over cases in Hague

Attorney-General Githu Muigai has accused a section of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) of using challenges the country is facing to self-seek.

Prof Muigai, who spoke in Nairobi on Monday accused the same NGOs of seeking to involve foreign forces in Kenyan issues for their own selfish ends.

“Let us have some introspection. We cannot be like teenagers out to externalise local problems and blaming everybody except ourselves,” said Prof Muigai.

“Time has come for NGOs to look at themselves in the mirror and realise that there are things they are doing wrong then correct them.”

The attack seems to have been directed at several NGOs lead by Africa Centre for Open Governance that sought to stop an amendment to Rule 68 that allows use of recanted evidence.

During the recent 14th Assembly of State Parties, the government was pushing for a reversal on a ruling that allows International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to use recanted evidence against Deputy President William Ruto and radio journalist Joshua arap Sang.

The two are facing charged of crimes against humanity relating to the 2007/08 post-poll violence which claimed over 1,000 people and displaced more than 600,000 others.

And according to Prof Muigai, the government is not against criticisms but only when it is wrong.

“Let us have serious, intelligent and informed debate that will be useful to our country, people and even the government so we can make progress,” Prof Muigai added.

He added: “Let it be clear that corruption is not the problem of government alone. It is the problem of all of us, including those corrupt with NGOs.”