Calls for Raila to testify in Ruto’s case intensify
Politicians allied to the Jubilee coalition on Sunday challenged Cord leader Raila Odinga to give evidence at the International Criminal Court to exonerate Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua arap Sang.
The more than 100 MPs, senators and MCA’s said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, in which Mr Ruto was his deputy, should record a statement with investigative institutions over the Ruto case.
The political leaders spoke during the fourth interdenominational prayer rally for Mr Ruto, Mr Sang and the 2007/08 post election violence victims at DEB Primary School in Meru town.
Led by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and his Senate counterpart Kithure Kindiki, they said Mr Odinga must come clean on what he knows on the alleged “procurement” of witnesses against the Deputy President.
They maintained that Mr Odinga should be the one testifying at The Hague based court and not his brother Oburu Odinga.
Mr Duale said claims of witness procurement was proof that the case was political from the start.
“We respect Raila’s brother Oburu for his offer to testify. But Mr Odinga cannot be replaced by his brother. We want to him personally testify in this case so that the two can be freed,” Mr Duale said.
“He must also appear alongside Ms Martha Karua, Prof Anyang Nyong’o, Mr Moses Kuria before the Director of Public Prosecution and record statement about what they know about the case at ICC,” Mr Duale added.
IN DEFENSE OF RUTO
The Majority leader accused ICC of changing the rules of engagement in its handling of the Kenya cases. He said it is wrong to do away with an earlier agreement that the amended Article 68 would not be used in the cases already before The Hague-based court.
Prof Kindiki cautioned Cord against seeking cheap publicity by plotting to testify in defense of Mr Ruto.
“They are free to say what they know of the innocence of the two Kenyans. Those who want to testify in favour of Mr Ruto and Mr Sang should speed up and give record statements to the DPP and ICC so that the case ends. But, let them be warned, don’t play politics with this issue,” Prof Kindiki said adding that they will fight to the end and ensure the two are free.
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria told off ICC for allegedly trying to threaten him saying he was ready to testify in court. He challenged Mr Odinga not to sit and watch as his once deputy was being victimized in the court.
“I have agreed to meet ICC and be a defense witness because I have a story to tell. But ICC should not be used to gag or intimidate me. If Mr Odinga is man enough, let him come and also testify. It was not enough to call Mr Ruto a comrade,” he said.
Senator Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo-Marakwet), Mr Kiraitu Murungi (Meru) and Mr Charles Keter (Kericho) asserted that the ICC issue will not split Jubilee.
Imenti South MP Kathuri Murungi asked Mr Raila and his comrades to openly state what they knew about the case involving Mr Ruto and Mr Sang.
