Nasa criticises Jubilee for reviving ICC debate

ODM national chairman John Mbadi, who is among National Super Alliance leaders who have criticised Jubilee leaders for reviving the debate on the ICC cases against President Kenyatta and Deputy William Ruto. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Wandayi said the ICC will not be used to sway voters in this year’s elections.
  • Mr Bosire said the ICC issue is a side show and will not earn Jubilee any votes.

Opposition leaders have criticised President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto for reviving the debate on the International Criminal Court (ICC) cases against them.

The leaders allied to the National Super Alliance (Nasa) accused the duo of seeking to whip up emotions about election violence after Kenyans have already moved on.

The politicians are ODM national chairman John Mbadi, Secretary of political affairs secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Wiper Party vice-chairman Mutula Kilonzo, ODM treasurer Timothy Bosire and Nasa western region presidential campaign coordinator Khalid Njiraini.

But on Wednesday, Mr Mbadi said President Kenyatta and his deputy had realised they were losing support in the Rift Valley and were seeking to gain sympathy by claiming the opposition would renew their cases.

SWAY VOTERS

“They are losing the Kalenjin vote. They think they can regain the votes they have lost by recreating the ICC story,” he said.

Mr Wandayi said the ICC will not be used to sway voters in this year’s elections.

“Jubilee is drowning politically and wants to clutch onto any straw for mere survival. They are desperate to revive their dwindling political fortunes.

"Kenyans have become wiser and will not be distracted by these diversionary tactics,” he said.

Mr Kilonzo described as careless the statement made by President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto on the ICC.

“Nasa is not the prosecutor or complainant. The revival of the cases (if at all) must be justified on cogent evidence from the prosecutor. [President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto] should not use this as a platform to whip up emotions,” Mr Kilonzo said.

HAGUE

Mr Bosire said the ICC issue is a sideshow and will not earn Jubilee any votes.

Mr Njiraini threatened to sue the President and the DP for “revisiting the emotive ICC debate.”

He accused President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto of evoking negative emotions ahead of the August 8 elections by revisiting the cases.

Speaking in Kisumu, Mr Njiraini defended Nasa, saying the opposition had no plans to revive the ICC matter.

“We demand an apology from Uhuru and Ruto for lying to Kenyans that it is Nasa presidential candidate Raila (Odinga) who took them to The Hague,” Mr Njiraini said.

He cautioned that revisiting the ICC cases would open old wounds and create animosity among Kenyans.