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ICC tops agenda at Rift leaders' meeting
Photo/JARED NYATAYA From left: Mogotio MP Hellen Sambili, Eldoret South MP Peris Simam, former Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi at a Kamatusa meeting in Eldoret town on April 3, 2012.
By JONATHAN KOMEN jkomen@ke.nationmedia.com AND SAMUEL KOECH kkoech@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, April 3 2012 at 22:30
In Summary
More than 20 MPs on Tuesday vowed to petition the International Criminal Court to defer charges against four Kenyan suspects.
The decision came as ICC matters dominated a meeting of leaders from the Kamatusa (Kalenjin, Maasai, Turkana and Samburu) communities in Eldoret which endorsed Eldoret North MP William Ruto's presidential bid.
Religious and elected leaders, members of the council of elders and professionals from the group resolved to support Mr Ruto.
In a statement read by Kalenjin Council of Elders chairman Rtd Major John Seii, the group resolved to write to the ICC to seek a deferral of the cases against the Ocampo Four until after the General Election.
"There is a clause that provides for deferral of ICC cases and we will marshal three million signatures to compel ICC to do so," the statement said.
The decision to endorse Mr Ruto as the group's preferred choice and the denunciation of the ICC process appeared to follow the script adopted by the Gema cultural association meeting in Limuru which endorsed Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta as Mt Kenya's preferred torchbearer.
During the Limuru meeting, attended by political, cultural and religious leaders, speakers bashed the ICC and vowed to collect two million signatures to petition the Hague-based court to defer the cases facing Mr Kenyatta and his three co-accused, including Mr Ruto, former Public Service head Francis Muthaura and radio presenter Joshua Sang.
The gathering has since come under condemnation from some leaders who accused its organisers of whipping up tribal emotions.
The ICC has explained that it alters its calender for legal reasons, such as if a party asks for more time to prepare, but not for political considerations.
At the meeting on Tuesday Assistant minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs William Cheptumo said the ICC did not conduct investigations into the violence.
He said Mr Ruto and Mr Sang were not the only people in "hot soup" as more will be indicted.
Other leaders called on the government to finalise the resettlement of internally displaced persons in the North Rift region.
"Our efforts at pursuing peace and national cohesion will be watered down if we still have people living in makeshift camps. The government should expedite the resettlement of the displaced before the next elections," said Mr Ekwe Ethuro.
"Peace has been achieved in most areas and we call on the few IDPs to go back and lead normal lives. We also demand the government to speed up the process of resettling them before the onset of the rains," said Eldoret South MP Peris Simam.
The political rift between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Mr Ruto was evident as the premier's key allies in Rift Valley kept away.
Seven MPs allied to Mr Odinga did not attend. They were Cabinet ministers Sally Kosgei and Prof Margaret Kamar and MPs Magerer Lagat, Joyce Laboso, Beatrice Kones and Henry Kosgey.
Roads minister Frankline Bett sent apologies, saying he was attending an official function in Voi.
For the first time, minority sub-tribes of the Kalenjin community, the Ogiek, Terik, Cherangani and Sabaot, were recognised.
Belgut MP Charles Keter set the ball rolling asking the community to shoulder the ICC burden on behalf Mr Ruto and radio Mr Sang.
"If we are waiting for Mr Ruto to call us for help, then we should not be living. We should instead be advising him."
He said the community was able to marshal the three million signatures and compel the ICC to defer the cases.
Marakwet East MP Linah Kilimo was optimistic that the community can tackle the ICC. "If ICC are stubborn, then let them take the whole Kalenjin community to the Hague," she said.
They came up with resolutions that the government applies to the UN Security Council under the Article 16 of the Rome Statute to defer the cases until after the elections.
"The community further resolved to collect three million signatures for purposes of the petition. The community will announce a date when our friends who value justice and fairness will go to the polling station to append their signatures. And the community has resolved to stand by Mr Ruto and Mr Sang as they go the Hague since the community is charged wholesale and the charges include all," they said in a statement.
They added: "We reaffirm that the community remain guided by the elders, spiritual leaders and technocrats."
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politi...42/-/view/printVersion/-/k5llqkz/-/index.html
Hunt for Uhuru vehicle stepped up
Mr Uhuru Kenyatta. Photo/FILE
By OLIVER MATHENGE omathenge@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, April 3 2012 at 22:30
In Summary
MPs from central Kenya have put in place plans to identify a suitable political party for Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta's presidential bid.
The MPs, who met at the Landmark Hotel in Nairobi on Tuesday, however, did not settle on a particular party.
Among the parties suggested were the PNU Alliance, National Alliance Party of Kenya, United Democratic Forum and Grand National Union.
However, the DPM and his allies are reluctant to settle on any of them as he continues to face opposition in Kanu.
The meeting, chaired by Gema chairman Lawi Imathiu, resolved to continue "consulting" over the matter.
Mr Kenyatta could be warming up to the PNU Alliance, but only after it changes its name. Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi registered the PNU Alliance and has indicated that the name would be changed.
Presenting the papers to the Registrar of Political Parties on Monday, Mr Murungi said the PNU Alliance would change to Alliance Party of Kenya.
However, the existence of another party called National Alliance Party of Kenya might complicate Mr Kenyatta's political choices.
Mr Kenyatta did not attend Tuesday's meeting.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Murungi said a committee had been formed to consult all political leaders and come up with modalities of forming a national political vehicle.
"The committee will continue consulting political leaders and also look beyond Gema so that we can have a party that takes up the ideals of all Kenyans," Mr Murungi said.
Sources said there were talks to have the National Alliance Party of Kenya, associated with veteran politician Nginyo Kariuki, to adopt the PNU Alliance bus as its symbol or not seek registration at all. NAP-K, which is yet to comply with the Political Parties Act, has a leopard as its symbol.
According to the sources, the bus is perceived to be more inclusive.
The ticket on which to contest the presidency is a major headache for Mr Kenyatta and his allies, particularly after one of his key associates, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, reportedly refused to work with either Kanu or PNU.
At Tuesday's meeting, the Limuru II declarations were revisited and it was resolved to form a committee to pursue them. "The committee will also monitor the resettlement of IDPs. It has also been asked to fast-track the collection of two million signatures to be used to petition the ICC to defer the violence trials," Mr Murungi said.
He said the committee would establish a media team to counter negative sentiments against Gema.
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politi...2/-/view/printVersion/-/139u6wqz/-/index.html
MY TAKE
And moderator u r not doing fair by deleting the other thread of Gema gathering i posted before! Otherwise this thread is for serving Kikuyu interests i don't see why was that thread removed! This tribalists need to be told on the face before they butcher each other! We don't need another Somalia in the region! Pls observe the motto "where we dare to talk openly" but reinstating that other post! After having GEMA (Gikuyu+Embu+Meru+Akamba) now we just had a KAMATUSA (Kalenjin+Massai+Turkana+Samburu) gathering! Their agenda is on how tribal interests can be forged in the 2013 general elections...
Photo/JARED NYATAYA From left: Mogotio MP Hellen Sambili, Eldoret South MP Peris Simam, former Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi at a Kamatusa meeting in Eldoret town on April 3, 2012.
By JONATHAN KOMEN jkomen@ke.nationmedia.com AND SAMUEL KOECH kkoech@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, April 3 2012 at 22:30
In Summary
- Kamatusa leaders plan to collect three million signatures to compel court to defer cases against Ocampo Four
More than 20 MPs on Tuesday vowed to petition the International Criminal Court to defer charges against four Kenyan suspects.
The decision came as ICC matters dominated a meeting of leaders from the Kamatusa (Kalenjin, Maasai, Turkana and Samburu) communities in Eldoret which endorsed Eldoret North MP William Ruto's presidential bid.
Religious and elected leaders, members of the council of elders and professionals from the group resolved to support Mr Ruto.
In a statement read by Kalenjin Council of Elders chairman Rtd Major John Seii, the group resolved to write to the ICC to seek a deferral of the cases against the Ocampo Four until after the General Election.
"There is a clause that provides for deferral of ICC cases and we will marshal three million signatures to compel ICC to do so," the statement said.
The decision to endorse Mr Ruto as the group's preferred choice and the denunciation of the ICC process appeared to follow the script adopted by the Gema cultural association meeting in Limuru which endorsed Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta as Mt Kenya's preferred torchbearer.
During the Limuru meeting, attended by political, cultural and religious leaders, speakers bashed the ICC and vowed to collect two million signatures to petition the Hague-based court to defer the cases facing Mr Kenyatta and his three co-accused, including Mr Ruto, former Public Service head Francis Muthaura and radio presenter Joshua Sang.
The gathering has since come under condemnation from some leaders who accused its organisers of whipping up tribal emotions.
The ICC has explained that it alters its calender for legal reasons, such as if a party asks for more time to prepare, but not for political considerations.
At the meeting on Tuesday Assistant minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs William Cheptumo said the ICC did not conduct investigations into the violence.
He said Mr Ruto and Mr Sang were not the only people in "hot soup" as more will be indicted.
Other leaders called on the government to finalise the resettlement of internally displaced persons in the North Rift region.
"Our efforts at pursuing peace and national cohesion will be watered down if we still have people living in makeshift camps. The government should expedite the resettlement of the displaced before the next elections," said Mr Ekwe Ethuro.
"Peace has been achieved in most areas and we call on the few IDPs to go back and lead normal lives. We also demand the government to speed up the process of resettling them before the onset of the rains," said Eldoret South MP Peris Simam.
The political rift between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Mr Ruto was evident as the premier's key allies in Rift Valley kept away.
Seven MPs allied to Mr Odinga did not attend. They were Cabinet ministers Sally Kosgei and Prof Margaret Kamar and MPs Magerer Lagat, Joyce Laboso, Beatrice Kones and Henry Kosgey.
Roads minister Frankline Bett sent apologies, saying he was attending an official function in Voi.
For the first time, minority sub-tribes of the Kalenjin community, the Ogiek, Terik, Cherangani and Sabaot, were recognised.
Belgut MP Charles Keter set the ball rolling asking the community to shoulder the ICC burden on behalf Mr Ruto and radio Mr Sang.
"If we are waiting for Mr Ruto to call us for help, then we should not be living. We should instead be advising him."
He said the community was able to marshal the three million signatures and compel the ICC to defer the cases.
Marakwet East MP Linah Kilimo was optimistic that the community can tackle the ICC. "If ICC are stubborn, then let them take the whole Kalenjin community to the Hague," she said.
They came up with resolutions that the government applies to the UN Security Council under the Article 16 of the Rome Statute to defer the cases until after the elections.
"The community further resolved to collect three million signatures for purposes of the petition. The community will announce a date when our friends who value justice and fairness will go to the polling station to append their signatures. And the community has resolved to stand by Mr Ruto and Mr Sang as they go the Hague since the community is charged wholesale and the charges include all," they said in a statement.
They added: "We reaffirm that the community remain guided by the elders, spiritual leaders and technocrats."
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politi...42/-/view/printVersion/-/k5llqkz/-/index.html
Hunt for Uhuru vehicle stepped up
Mr Uhuru Kenyatta. Photo/FILE
By OLIVER MATHENGE omathenge@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, April 3 2012 at 22:30
In Summary
- Central Kenya MPs put in place plan to identify party that DPM will use in quest for State House
MPs from central Kenya have put in place plans to identify a suitable political party for Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta's presidential bid.
The MPs, who met at the Landmark Hotel in Nairobi on Tuesday, however, did not settle on a particular party.
Among the parties suggested were the PNU Alliance, National Alliance Party of Kenya, United Democratic Forum and Grand National Union.
However, the DPM and his allies are reluctant to settle on any of them as he continues to face opposition in Kanu.
The meeting, chaired by Gema chairman Lawi Imathiu, resolved to continue "consulting" over the matter.
Mr Kenyatta could be warming up to the PNU Alliance, but only after it changes its name. Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi registered the PNU Alliance and has indicated that the name would be changed.
Presenting the papers to the Registrar of Political Parties on Monday, Mr Murungi said the PNU Alliance would change to Alliance Party of Kenya.
However, the existence of another party called National Alliance Party of Kenya might complicate Mr Kenyatta's political choices.
Mr Kenyatta did not attend Tuesday's meeting.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Murungi said a committee had been formed to consult all political leaders and come up with modalities of forming a national political vehicle.
"The committee will continue consulting political leaders and also look beyond Gema so that we can have a party that takes up the ideals of all Kenyans," Mr Murungi said.
Sources said there were talks to have the National Alliance Party of Kenya, associated with veteran politician Nginyo Kariuki, to adopt the PNU Alliance bus as its symbol or not seek registration at all. NAP-K, which is yet to comply with the Political Parties Act, has a leopard as its symbol.
According to the sources, the bus is perceived to be more inclusive.
The ticket on which to contest the presidency is a major headache for Mr Kenyatta and his allies, particularly after one of his key associates, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, reportedly refused to work with either Kanu or PNU.
At Tuesday's meeting, the Limuru II declarations were revisited and it was resolved to form a committee to pursue them. "The committee will also monitor the resettlement of IDPs. It has also been asked to fast-track the collection of two million signatures to be used to petition the ICC to defer the violence trials," Mr Murungi said.
He said the committee would establish a media team to counter negative sentiments against Gema.
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politi...2/-/view/printVersion/-/139u6wqz/-/index.html
MY TAKE
And moderator u r not doing fair by deleting the other thread of Gema gathering i posted before! Otherwise this thread is for serving Kikuyu interests i don't see why was that thread removed! This tribalists need to be told on the face before they butcher each other! We don't need another Somalia in the region! Pls observe the motto "where we dare to talk openly" but reinstating that other post! After having GEMA (Gikuyu+Embu+Meru+Akamba) now we just had a KAMATUSA (Kalenjin+Massai+Turkana+Samburu) gathering! Their agenda is on how tribal interests can be forged in the 2013 general elections...
Last edited by a moderator:
