From: David ochwangi
Watching VP Kalonzo crisscross Africa’s capitals seeking support to subvert the ICC process in Kenya as we seek justice in Kenya for victims of the most macabre violence in Kenya’s history is very painful, particularly from a man so close to becoming the country’s next president. There are not enough words to express dismay at Kalonzo’s behavior at a time when Kenyans are finally getting some relief from the abuses and excesses of the ruling class but; he has been hitherto untainted by the 2007/2008 violence but his actions now effectively make him an accessory after the fact. He is trying to suppress and conceal the truth from coming out in the open and this is beyond comprehension. What in the world does the AU have to do with our commitments to the ICC? Why does Kenya need AU’s support to pull out of the ICC, did the AU sign the treaty for Kenya? We agreed to the treaty as a sovereign nation, sovereignty these very politicians are notorious of invoking every time they are under international scrutiny, why do you now go around seeking AU’s blessing to deny our population protection from brutality? VP Kalonzo, STOP it-enough already! Your efforts may endear you to the Ocampo six but they are DEAD WRONG for Kenya. Whose side are you on anyway? Pick one- either the side of the six votes that may not be able to cast them for you or the Millions of Kenyans yearning for a break from the actors who brought this mess upon the country. Why do you see it fit to be to be entangled in this mess, why?
We are seeking a fresh start and a clean slate, Kalonzo is a political beneficiary by default of any fall outs from Raila, frankly- he need not do anything but keep his nose clean and run a clean campaign-Raila does bad all by himself; why on earth he craves so much to be identified with ICC suspects is beyond me.
Of-course we are cognizant that Ocampo skewed the process to fit the whims of whatever powers that be and that Raila is the primary benefactor who bequeathed Kenya most of the upheaval; the remedy, however, is NOT to deny justice to Kenyans in the guise of blocking Raila Odinga from the presidency, NO! Ocampo’s abuse of the ICC process per se is an insufficient basis to deny Kenyans the larger protections inherent within the ICC framework. His perceived prosecutorial transgressions are mitigated by the presumption of innocence- which even the ICC recognizes and a trial of facts by the court itself. The ICC has not tried any Kenyan let alone convicted any Kenyan. There is a good chance not all the six suspects will be convicted, that the judges will in fact acquit some of them for insufficient evidence. Kalonzo’s contention that this would be a “deferral” is laughable, it is NOT- it is simply a political ploy and an attempt to delay justice for Kenyans; justice delayed is justice denied. Applying lipstick on a pig doesn’t change the fact that it is still a pig, it is WRONG! These efforts to block the ICC are not only futile but also just as revolting as the sponsors who contrived the ICC’s interest in Kenya in the first place. It is irreconcilable to blame Raila as the agent provocateur and yet look the other way when the rights and wishes of majority of Kenyans are being trampled upon by the very people we have placed our hope in, it is an insult to our national conscience. The ICC is here to stay, Kenya’s leadership has had ample opportunities to do right by the people and failed miserably, now they want to bury the last and only hope left for Kenyans especially as we draw close to yet another likely explosive election cycle? Really??!! Is that your best offer? Do you want to expose Kenya once again to the barbaric whims of sour losers and madmen in our midst? Get REAL!
Similarly, this on and off idea of tribal alliances of the so called Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Kamba (KKK) alliance is completely asinine-put a lid on this nonsense once and for all. The only times we have contended with alliances are times of war, world war one and two, the lead-up to the 2007 elections with the “41 against 1” mantra and in the US, KKK stands for the Ku Klux Klan, a white separatist supremacy group which epitomizes anarchy- no different than Kenya’s so called KKK; are we preparing for war again in Kenya? So what if Raila did it in 2007? Haven’t you learned any lessons? Didn’t the MOU’s with Muslims, MODOADOA, etc, etc, teach you anything? Why are you at it again now? You are perpetuating the same problems and threats to our national security we desperately need to eliminate from our midst. We need unity and not this perverse divisiveness you are preaching, we see it- wacha kabisa. As for Kalonzo it is completely possible to be on the side of Kenyans and win the presidency and it is not too late to change course; there is no need to pander- pandering not only cost Odinga the presidency but landed the entire country in conflict, don’t do it. We are a heterogeneous country, what are you going to do with the 39 other non KKK tribes? Get your act together, keep your nose clean, preach peace and unity- we need good leadership to continue the remarkable economic achievements of the Kibaki era, these stupid alliances are repulsive, repugnant and will most certainly cost you support. Stop while you are still ahead!
To the point,just deadright.Lets hope many Kenyans think national instead of tribel
state and religeon are separated by law in many countries. separation of state and
tribes should also be regulated by law. Does the new constitution allow tribelism?
or tribel politics?
May I call you Mr. Dave….the many topics you have touched in this article has been “pushing my red button lately” VP campaign against ICC in Africa capitals, his membership in KKK, writing to the Ministry of Cohesion to ban the use of KKk in decribing: Kikuyu, Kalejin Kamba alliace . I fully agree with you on the ICC, this is delaying tactic or “running out the clock” for the coming 2012 general election to allow these Six to participate in this election.
You are also quite right Mr. Ochwangi when you see this tactic as ” justice delayed…justice denied”. Kenya judiciary system now or in the future is or will not be capable of trying these six. Out of these six, the little “fish” Ali , Mathaura, Sang or Kosgey are the only ones who may be tried in the so-called local tribunal if there is one. I don’t envision neutral judiciary, Political fortitude and unanimous public support in Kenya that can allow Uhuru and Ruto trial for these alleged crimes. Which court will take on the son of the founder of this country and for Ruto, who would want to take on the Rift valley and lose the votes ????. Kikuyus (Central Province)and Kalenjins (Rif Valley Province) will “cry’ for tribal prosecution if you think that the current demonization of ICC has reached fever pitch..you have seen nothing yet if local tribunal is held in Kenya to try these two!!.
The good news is that regardless of the token support Kenya is getting from AU and IGAD, VP Kalonzo has come to his senses that Kenya will not pull out ICC. AU has told Kenya that they can pull out ICC as individual signatory ….. AU will not walk out of ICC as a group. Now Kalonzo has changed his tune that ” he was only campaigning for the case against the six to be deferred until the coming general election”. Again, any body with half brain can see “deferral” is the only way that will allow both Ruto and Uhuru to participate in the coming election. However, if one of these people become President or VP of Kenya in coming election, the “goal post” will be moved again. The same Kalonzo and those who support will say these two cannot be tried while they are in office. Again, Mr. Ochwangi this will be another “justice delayed… justice denied’.This is the game VP Kalonzo, RV MPS and those who are anti ICC in Kenya are playing with Kenya public on ICC issue.
Yes, Mr. Kalonzo may be born again Christian, VP and lawyer but I don’t know if he understand international legal treaties. The deferral he is now demanding for the Six can onl be granted by UN Security Council NOT ICC court in Rome. Getting deferral waiver from UN security Council is not that simple. President Kibaki appointing judiciary members the other day is NOT reason enough to attain deferral waiver for the Six. The UN Security council tend to let the ICC operate independently..the chances of the UN security council intervening in Ocampo six case not to move forward is almost zero. One of the requirements by the UN Security to “defer” pending case(s) must be something to do with peace. In this case, the VP and his group will have to show the UN Security Council the ” negative consiquencess like “international peace if these Ocampo six has to stand trial now!!!!!!. Again, the odds of getting the 15 member Un Security Council to grant Kenya deferral in this case are remote… but Kalonzo will keep on cheer leading for the six without shame!!!
What should worry Kenya the most is that your VP and RV MpS who are vehemently oppose ICC now lack the knowledge on how international treaties work. Since Ocampo six were named, the drum beat by these VP, RV MPS and others has to demonized the ICC and anybody in this country who support ICC. I wonder how the letter to UN Security Council asking for deferral will be constructed by Kenya government and politicians who have been behind the campaign against the ICC: by passing motion to pull Kenya Kenya out ICC, threatening to repeal International criminal Act and calling ICC colonial entity against African countries. Will the deferral letter to the UN Security council be accompanied with apology that ” Kenya government and politicians did not know what they were talking about when they were bad mouthing the ICC????.
Again, Mr Ochwangi you took the words out my mouth on your description of the KKK. In some parts of the world the KKK has not been kind to some segment of the people in those societies and I don’t think Kenya want or is ready for political alliances based on tribal lines. I don’t think VP Kalonzo is in the loop with Uhuru and Ruto in demanding the KKK name to be banned in Kenya political lexigan.
I have seen and heard both Ruto and Uhuru promoting this alliance proudly in public on how the three tribes will come together in the next election. How will the Ministry of Cohesion enforce the ban of KKK name ???.. What does the VP want the people to call the KKK alliance now ????.
On latest judiciary appointment by President Kibaki, I would urge all Kenyans to vet this people. The legacy of President Kibaki will be determined by the court appointments he leaves behind than anything else. PM is wasting his time in complaining and winning that the President did not consult him in appointing these judiciary members. The President has the right to appoint these people and consultation does not mean that the PM had to agree with appointments. The PM, Parliament, Press and Kenya public should vet these judiciary members throughly: Judicial qualifications, major cases they have participated in, business holding in the country, their moral chararecters etc. I hope Kenya politicians will not politisize judiciary system.The parliament and the public should take time to vet these judiciary nominees. PNU should not just vote for them because they have been appointed by the President or ODM should not vote against them because they have been opposed by the PM.Kenya MPs must realize that they the politicians will come and go and these judges will remain in these positions for life…so vetting them should not be taken lightly.
Thank you Mr for saying the things which have been bothering with the VP and the rest of his gang!!!
SHUTTLE DIPLOMANCY – and haging world dictators to satisfy his whimsnan expense of victims languishing in extreme poverty and tents God was watching. Our God of all times to today does not wait until you die,he can do it, while you still on earth.
IDP’s prayers did not call mammoth crusade prayer meetings, but their prayers have reached. God bless you sir- OFFENSIVE SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY HAUNT IS ON GOING !!!!
Baby cries have no place…tough leaders and tough stands is the way. Fence sitters have no room leave alone the house on the hill. Its’s too big for baby crier.
The VP should stop mixing Kiswahili and English speeches. It would be better if spoke in one and switch into. I advice him not to be mix wordings of the two languages in just one straight sentence. He leaves those who do not understand both languages buffled. He should say what he means and mean what he says in one straight language. Sometime I’m left not to grasp the red or green card he’s issued.
/ JUSTIN OSEY PETER – KENYA