MPs on Ruto trip drop from 25 to nine
PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI Former broadcaster Joshua arap Sang’s sister Leah Komen arrives at ICC to attend the proceedings on October 2, 2013.
What you need to know:
- The MPssaid their number had dropped because Parliament is back in session
- More than 20 MPs had also accompanied Mr Ruto when his trial opened on September 10
Only nine MPs are accompanying Deputy President William Ruto as he attends trial at The Hague from 25 before the break.
The MPs started arriving in The Netherlands on Sunday, ahead of Mr Ruto who arrived on Wednesday morning for the hearing.
The lawmakers are Ibrahim Sane (Garsen), Steven Ngare (Ndia), Muthomi Njuki (Chuka Igamba Ng’ombe), David Pkosing (Pokot South) and Joyce Emanikor (Turkana).
Others are Christopher Nakuleu (Turkana North), Hellen Chepkwony (Kericho County), Elisha Busienei (Turbo), Joseph Lomwa (Isiolo North) and URP organising-secretary George Ayugi.
A sister of Mr Joshua arap Sang, Ms Leah Komen, who is a student at Murg University of East London, was also present on Wednesday.
Also arriving from the UK was Mr Festus Kipkebut, who is a solicitor in London and the representative of the Kootabmyoot Europe, a social organisation of the diaspora from the Rift Valley.
“The numbers (in The Hague) are still high but a number of MPs numbering 18 were turned away since they did not have some travel documents and some will be coming in the course of the day or tomorrow (Thursday),” Mr Nakuleu told Nation.
The MPs further said their number had dropped because Parliament is back in session.
Like their compatriots in the past, the MPs lined up in front of the ICC building to receive Mr Ruto and offer prayers led by Ms Emanikor before the suspect went inside the courtroom.
Mr Ruto is being tried for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the 2007/08 post-election violence.
ROUGH TIME
The MPs had arrived at the court in a hired bus ahead of the Deputy President and waited in the chilly weather for him to arrive.
Their colleagues, who were in The Hague before the adjournment, had a rough time, with the confrontation with Dutch police standing out.
The security officers had asked the legislators to leave the court premises and wait for Mr Ruto at least 20 metres from the building— a directive that they did not take kindly.
During the clash, Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi said that they had a right to stand in front of the building “because we are the accused. We are part of the Rome Statute.”
The MPs had also protested at the decision to have Witness 536 continue with her testimony in private or closed session, accusing the court of pampering the witness at the expense of the accused and those following the cases.
More than 20 MPs had also accompanied Mr Ruto when his trial opened on September 10.
On Wednesday, the leaders also expressed frustration at the conduct of the trials in private.
“We too are not happy with the closed sessions since the Kenyan public and the entire world need to follow the proceedings keenly in order to assess the degree of transparency, fairness and genuineness of the testimonies given by the witnesses,” the MPs said.
Ms Komen said she arrived in The Hague five days ago at the same time Mr Sang had travelled back to Kenya. She described the trials as “very slow.”
“I wish it was a bit faster. But if the ICC is truly a justice institution, then I know the results. The truth will triumph and my brother and the deputy president will be acquitted,” she said.
