Nairobi, Kenya: “We’re shocked!” That was the collective disbelief that emerged in the National Assembly after the International Criminal Court ruled that Deputy President William Ruto would not be excused from some sittings in the ongoing trials.
The 18 MPs allied to the Jubilee coalition hurriedly called a news conference at the Media Centre in Parliament Buildings, and accused the ICC of “showing no respect” to the country’s Deputy President. The lawmakers complained that the decision by the Appeals Chamber was simply ICC’s way of “trying to show who is the boss.”
Appeared helpless
The MPs appeared helpless. David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East), Rachel Shebesh (Nairobi), Patrick ole Ntutu (Narok West) and Stephen Kinyanjui (Kinangop) led the 18 MPs, including Senator Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet) in a vow to mount a political onslaught to counter the decision.
“As a country we’re not satisfied with the decision that has come up today. He has continuously cooperated with the ICC and will continue to cooperate. Unfortunately, the decision was not in the best interests of the country,” Gikaria said.
Shebesh, who was picked on Thursday in a group of five MPs to sit in the Pan-Africa Parliament, said she would take the matter to the body, to add weight to the African Union resolution that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy should not attend the ICC.
“The AU has spoken, Kenya has spoken, I wonder who else the ICC wants to listen to,” said Shebesh.
The MPs said the ICC was playing “politics” in the way it had made the ruling, and that, they would be going to their constituencies to marshal support and find a way to galvanise the country.Adding no value
Source-standardmedia.com
