Rome statute pull-out bid set for debate

Prof Kithure Kindiki, Leader of the Majority in Senate. Photo/FILE

What you need to know:

  • The motion by Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki will not only seek to have war crimes tried locally, but also have the current cases deferred to the Judiciary, a suggestion that has failed several times before.

Another round of heated debate is expected in the Senate Tuesday afternoon as it holds a special sitting to discuss a motion to have Kenya withdraw from the Rome Statute.

The motion by Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki will not only seek to have war crimes tried locally, but also have the current cases deferred to the Judiciary, a suggestion that has failed several times before.

Still, it is emphatic that the government should “continue to cooperate with the ICC with regard to the ongoing cases before (it) in accordance with the International Crimes Act of 2008 and other relevant laws of Kenya.”

CHANGE ICC CALENDAR

Prof Kindiki told the Nation that he would also introduce an amendment to the motion to have ICC’s calendar changed so that President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto are not out of the country at the same time.

“If the motion succeeds, I will be leading a delegation of five Senators to petition the president of the ICC, attaching that motion. I will copy that to the UN secretary-general himself,” Prof Kindiki said.

Unlike the motion passed by the National Assembly, Senate’s motion does not seek to have the International Crimes Act repealed. Kenya would only withdraw from the Rome Statute.