Governor, MPs want court to uphold ASP’s decision prohibiting recanted evidence us
Kiambu Governor William Kabogo (right) during a fund raiser at Githunguri Town Catholic Church on November 29, 2015. The intrigues surrounding the controversial Madaraka Market in Thika, which burnt down last month, have sparked a row between Kabogo and County Commissioner Alex ole Nkoyo in what appears to be a supremacy battle. PHOTO | ERIC WAINAINA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, MPs Njoroge Baiya (Githunguri), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete) and Ngewa MCA Karungo Thangwa said they are hoping that the Appeal and Trial chambers will consider the resolution and trash recanted evidence.
- He said the Kenyan delegation to the ASP meeting last week, which he was part of, had successfully made its case over the matter.
A section of Jubilee leaders in Kiambu want the International Criminal Court (ICC) to uphold the decision by Assembly of State Parties that the rule that allows use of recanted evidence should not apply in the cases facing Deputy President William Ruto.
Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, MPs Njoroge Baiya (Githunguri), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete) and Ngewa MCA Karungo Thangwa said they are hoping that the Appeal and Trial chambers will consider the resolution and trash recanted evidence.
The leaders spoke at Githunguri Town Catholic Church in Kiambu during a fundraiser Sunday.
The court had allowed the prosecution to apply Rule 68 of Rome Statute in Mr Ruto’s case.
Mr Kabogo called on the ICC to drop the case against Mr Ruto “to relieve him of the burden and enable him serve the country better”.
“We are waiting for the court to implement what ASP said because we know without the recanted evidence that was given by coached witnesses, he will be released,” Mr Kabogo said, adding the Central Region will support the DP’s presidential bid in 2022.
SUCCESSFUL ENDEAVOUR
Mr Waititu castigated the court for pegging Mr Ruto’s case only on evidence witnesses have renounced.
He said the Kenyan delegation to the ASP meeting last week, which he was part of, had successfully made its case over the matter.
“ASP affirmed Rule 68 will not apply in Deputy President’s case and that recanted evidence will not be used. We are waiting for the case to be terminated so he can work as a free man,” said Mr Waititu.
Mr Baiya said the case is yet to be terminated only because of recanted evidence Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda sought to use.
“The prosecution recently said it did not have water tight evidence to continue with the case but things changed after idea to use recanted evidence came up. We are hopping and expecting the court will respect the ASP decision,” he said.
Mr Thangwa said ASP’s position on the matter in an indication that other nations have accepted that President Kenyatta and his deputy are symbols of peace in the country and should therefore be set free.
“Anyone who would try to separate them does not respect the ongoing healing and reconciliation. We urge the court to uphold the ASP decision failure to which they will be opening up the healing wounds,” he said.
