Uhuru, Ruto accused of citing terror to skip trial

A lobby group on Wednesday accused President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto of capitalising on terror threats and the country’s security, to skip trial at the ICC.

“There is no compelling evidence of threat to international peace and security. As such, Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto’s claims of such threats are being used as negotiating leverage tools,” said International Centre for Policy and Conflict (ICPC) executive director Ndung’u Wainaina, in a press statement.

While responding to assertions that the UN Security Council to effect deferral and halt the Kenyan case at the ICC to enable Mr Ruto and the President to have time to address national and regional security concerns caused by terrorism threats, the ICPC said the ICC judicial process must be completed to enable post-election-violence victims realise justice.

“This invocation of terror threats as reasons to defer criminal proceedings against Ruto and Kenyatta is very curious coming shortly after the Westgate attack, whose details the government of Kenya has refused to provide to the public,” said Mr Wainaina, as ICPC asked the Security Council and the ICC to vigorously object to the attempts of interference with judicial process at the court.

According to the lobby, the ICC became the crucial last resort court, after the government failed to demonstrate will and ability to conduct genuine national criminal proceedings against those responsible for the post-poll violence.

(KNA).