IDPs join case against chaos suspects

A group of Internally Displaced Persons have been allowed to join a petition seeking to block Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto from contesting the presidency. (READ: Group in court over Uhuru, Ruto seat bid)

Mr Justice Isaac Lenaola admitted the request of the 213 IDPs who have been staying at the Mathari Chief’s Camp in Nairobi since the 2008 post-election violence.

“In view of the enormous public interest likely to be generated by the subject of this petition, I hereby allow the request of the IDPs to be enjoined in the suit and any other person who may wish to support or oppose the application,” Mr Justice Lenaola said.

He agreed with the petitioners’ lawyer Antony Oluoch’s submission that the court’s decision was likely affect the IDPs who are yet to be resettled and compensated for the losses they incurred during the post-election violence.

Serious offences

He also allowed Dr Stephen Njiru who applied to be admitted in the suit as amicus curiae, and directed that those wishing to be joined can do so without any formal application.

The suit was filed on Wednesday by civil society activists seeking a declaration that statements by Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto that they would vie for the presidency despite the ICC ruling was a threat to the Constitution.

The Kenya Youth Parliament and the Kenya Youth League alongside civil activists Patrick Njuguna, Mr Augustino Netto and Mr Charles Omanga claim that the confirmed charges against the two are serious offences under the Kenyan and International laws.

They are seeking a court interpretation of Article 6 of the Constitution on leadership and integrity and whether the two should be eligible to vie for leadership positions. They argued that if the two are to vie, impunity would be entrenched