This is your cross, not the country’s: Raila Odinga

Cord leader Raila Odinga has told President Uhuru Kenyatta to handle the crimes against humanity charges he faces at the International Criminal Court case as a personal matter and avoid dragging the whole country into it.

Speaking at a funeral in Gem, Siaya County on Saturday, Mr Odinga said it is the responsibility of accused persons to clear charges against them without making unnecessary spins.

“It is unfortunate that some MPs are dragging the nation into the issue by telling the President to skip the trials. He was charged as an individual and he should go there and clear his name,” said Mr Odinga.

He also lashed out at those advising President Kenyatta to skip the court’s date, and refuted claims that he had a hand in the case and those of Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang.

Mr Odinga has been accused by Jubilee politicians of working with the ICC court to “fix” their leaders, a matter that was one of the key rallying calls for votes within regions they draw support.

Mr Odinga’s remarks are therefore expected to rub the wrong way those around Mr Kenyatta who still insist he should not travel to The Hague.

PLAYED NO ROLE

He challenged anyone suspecting him of having participated in crafting on the list to ask Justice Philip Waki, who was also present at the funeral.

Mr Odinga said the names were extracted from a report by a team Justice Waki led, maintaining that he played no role in their selection.

The former premier maintained that the then secret list never contained his name and that of the former president Mwai Kibaki, adding that he will cooperate with the court if called upon to do so.

He further said that before the cases went to the ICC, he was among those calling for the creation of a local tribunal but some leaders shot down his bid.

“President Kibaki and I tried our best to solve the stalemate but the MPs, some of whom were in the team of Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto, rejected our efforts with the popular phrase 'do not be vague, go to Hague',” said Mr Odinga.

He added that he wished the three suspects justice in the court, adding that is the only way to set their conscience free and relieve them of blame.

In a separate forum in Urumbi village in Khwisero Constituency, Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale urged the President, his deputy and Mr Sang to cooperate with ICC and clear their names instead of “engaging in politics that will not solve the issue”.