Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta finally broke his silence on the International Criminal Court (ICC) case facing Deputy President William Ruto by telling off the judges of The Hague based court.
Addressing Kenyans during the 6th Mashujaa Day celebrations Kenyatta dismissed the ICC warning against the holding of prayer rallies saying the prayers will continue.
“The judge cannot tell us when to pray — we believe in God and we have the freedom to pray. So we will continue praying because we know the power of prayer,” said Kenyatta adding that we have the freedom of worship in this country hence nobody can discourage us from holding prayer meetings.”
He urged Kenyans to remain united further calling on the African countries to support Kenya’s bid to reconcile communities and on its resolve to withdraw from the Rome statute.
“I am urging Kenya’s friends in the international community to continue helping Kenya even as we continue praying for a breakthrough,” said a charged Kenyatta.
He said the jubilee government will not be intimidated by the Court and will continue to deliver to Kenyans its promises amid cheers from those in attendance.
Kenyatta’s reaction comes after ICC Trial Chamber Presiding Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji in a strongly worded statement warned that they were fully aware of attacks directed at the court when major decisions were made.
Osuji said the attacks were made to either support a conviction or acquittal but in the long run ended up undermining the work of the judges and the authority of the court.
He further regretted that some commentaries appearing in the media amounted to insults aimed at the court and judges calling for a stop to this.
Kenyatta also took a swipe at the opposition who in the past weeks blamed him for the woes facing Deputy President William Ruto since they were on opposing camps in the 2007 general election which later resulted in the violence accusing them of attempting to cause turmoil in the Jubilee coalition.
“These people always talking about ICC, they should leave us alone to continue working for Kenya. This is cheap politics and Kenyans should not allow such people to divide them,” he asserted.
Deputy President William Ruto on his part urged Kenyans to rise above petty politics and work together for the sake of peace and harmonious co-existence in the country.
“Going to the future, let us promote oneness as we focus on the great opportunities existing in the country,” said Ruto.
Last weekend at a prayer rally in Suswa Narok County, over 100 Jubilee legislators dismissed the order by ICC terming it unfortunate, unlawful and a violation of values under the Rome Statute and fundamental principles of international law.
“We are shocked that this unwarranted lecture and attempted intimidation by the chamber was orchestrated, prosecuted and determined by the court without an application by any party as would be expected of any judicial institution of any standard,” the leaders said in a statement.
They further stated that the reaction of the judges showed that they had panicked about Gatundu MP Moses Kuria’s confession on witness coaching.
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, the country’s heroes and heroines, foreign envoys, senior Government officials and citizens from all walks of life graced the Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Later, the President and the First Lady hosted a colorful garden party for invited guests at State House, Nairobi.
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Source: Capitalfm