CORD leaders resolve to oppose International Criminal Court motion

NAIROBI, KENYA: Cord leaders have resolved not to back a motion seeking to withdraw Kenya’s membership of the International Criminal Court.

In a Thursday afternoon meeting attended by 100 leaders from both the Senate and National assembly,Cord argued that the motion is likely not to offer dignity to the country.

“Seeking to withdraw our membership of ICC is inconsistent, and also likely to defeat the purpose of our constitution,” said a statement  read by Eseli Simiyu.

The Thursday meeting was chaired by Cord leaderRaila Odinga.

Elsewhere former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has criticised the attempt to withdraw Kenya from the Rome Statute which establishes the International Criminal Court ( ICC) saying it risks plunging the country into lawlessness.

The Cord leader described the recalling of MPs for a special sitting to discuss the special Motion to pull Kenya out of the ICC as odd and selfish aimed at defeating the course of justice.

Speaking on Wednesday at Wikithuki Irrigation Scheme in Tseikuru District in Kitui County, he said it was vanity for President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto to think that they can escape prosecution at The Hague based court by manipulating the parliament.

“We cannot allow this country to sink that low. Kenyans must stand for what is fair, just and in the best interest of all. National interest must take precedence over personal interests,” said Kalonzo.

He scoffed at the idea saying that even if its proponents succeeded in their mission, it does not mean theICC will let the president and his deputy off the hook.

Accompanied by other leaders from the area, Kalonzo vowed to collect one million signatures to reverse the decision if it is adopted. “These are people groping in the dark. They have no alternative but to face the ICC,” said Maanzo.

The leaders noted that Kenyans had placed their hopes on the ICC to get justice after the violence that rocked the country following 2007 elections saying if adopted, the decision would disillusion Kenyans who might not get justice for atrocities committed against them thus resorting to the rule of the jungle in future election.-standardmedia.co.ke