Face judges in ICC, allies advise Uhuru

What you need to know:

  • Senator Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), MPs Mary Wambui (Othaya) and Kareke Mbiuki (Maara) claimed that the ICC was waiting for the President to defy the court orders to pounce on him with a warrant of arrest.
  • “We do not have any fears about the President going to The Hague for the status conference. Our concern is that they just want to embarrass the President whichever way they can knowing that they have no case against him,” said Mr Murkomen by phone.
  • However, State House was non-committal on the presidential travel plans and the Nation could not independently verify the claims of travel arrangements.

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s closest allies want him to travel to The Hague next week for the status conference in his case.

This is a departure from a few weeks ago when many, such as House Majority Leader Aden Duale, were noisily advising him not to go.

Many of these allies, who would not speak on the record because State House discussions are confidential, believe that the case against the President is on the verge of collapse and that cooperation with the court was the best policy.

Top government sources said arrangements were being made for the President’s travel to the International Criminal Court on Monday where he will likely be the first sitting Head of State to appear before the judges.

However, State House was non-committal on the presidential travel plans and the Nation could not independently verify the claims of travel arrangements.

The circle around the President, including his political allies and advisers, has previously been sceptical of the wisdom of the President travelling to The Hague.

Senator Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), MPs Mary Wambui (Othaya) and Kareke Mbiuki (Maara) claimed that the ICC was waiting for the President to defy the court orders to pounce on him with a warrant of arrest.

“We do not have any fears about the President going to The Hague for the status conference. Our concern is that they just want to embarrass the President whichever way they can knowing that they have no case against him,” said Mr Murkomen by phone.

The senator, who is a lawyer, said the President will travel to The Hague but accused the ICC of seeking to raise its profile by having President Kenyatta before it.

BOLSTER THE PROFILE OF THE COURT

“Our concern is that the President must be respected. They want to use the President to bolster the profile of the court. It is just an unwarranted distraction,” he said.

Ms Wambui, who was speaking in Nyeri, urged the President to fly to The Hague as ordered by the Trial Chamber headed by Judge Kuniko Ozaki since there was no reason for him to be arrested while at the ICC.

She said the ICC officials could be looking for an excuse to order the arrest of the President.

“Maybe they just want him to defy the court order and take legal action against him so it is advisable for him to comply and hear what Bensouda wants to say once he goes there in person,” she said.

Mr Mbiuki, taking cue of his colleagues, said: “We are in support that the President attends the proceedings. After all, it is just a status conference and we know that this is a case that the prosecutor is going to lose. It is on its last legs.”

Traditional Kikuyu Intercessors, led by their director, Mr Mathenge wa Iregi, too said Mr Kenyatta should comply with court orders.

Mr Iregi, accompanied by six other elders, conducted traditional prayers — facing Mt Kenya — and said he thought the ICC just wanted to make history by prosecuting a president and his deputy.

“Just like (former ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno) Ocampo said that the world will learn from Kenya, we in turn tell them that the world will learn from the Supreme God we serve who will fight for our country,” he said.

Judges have summoned Mr Kenyatta in person, convinced the case is at a crucial point and that the issues to be discussed are important and require his presence.