In 2009, dishonest politicians unanimously voted in parliament that Uhuru, Ruto et al should go to
Hague. Hansard Reports from the Kenya National Assembly on diverse dates
between January and December 2009 make for very interesting reading.
At page 4,633 of February 3,
part of the contribution by the Minister for Nairobi Metropolitan Development,
Mr M Kilonzo, reads, “In fact there is a phrase going on which is called ‘Don’t be vague; go for
Hague.' I flip through and come to page 4,636. Here is Mr Cyrus Jirongo saying,
“Those who perpetrated violence are in Government… If we are genuine and we
want these people to be punished, we should allow them to go to The Hague.” Over
page, Mr Jirongo goes on, “I urge the
Minister for Justice, and National Cohesion to let those people go to The Hague
if her conscience pricks her correctly.”
As I move on, I see page
4,638 where Ms Rachel Shebesh says, “I see no reason why, if people were
genuine, you would tell me that going to The Hague can bring peace to this
country… I see no way in which you can be sincere.” I am now looking at
February 4, 2009, at page 4,723. Here is Mr Lewis Nguyai. He says, “I also say there is need to end
the culture of impunity… I would propose that we should not be vague. We want
the key perpetrators of this particular
atrocities (sic) to go to The Hague.” I recall Mr Nguiyai was recently Uhuru Kenyatta’s
witness at The Hague. I begin to get it, I think.
Enter Ms Elizabeth Ongoro: “Through
setting up a local tribunal,
we will be telling our citizens that we are brothers, we have what it takes to
solve our problems.” Mr Lucas Chepkitony
differs: “Let us try the ICC!” Ms Cecily Mbarire agrees with him: “We have
spent too much time on tribunals and commissions. I oppose the Bill [to set up
a local tribunal]”. Thomas Mwadeghu: “Ni lazima hao watu waende Hague. Wacha
waende wahukumiwe huko (These people must
go to The Hague. Let them go and be
tried there!)” Mr Johnstone Muthama: “Jaji atakuwa Mkamba, Mkikuyu… ni vyema
tugeuze mbinu. Ndege zitakuja, watapelekwa kule na kuiacha nchi yetu na amani (The judge will be Kamba or Kikuyu… we must change tact.
Aeroplanes will come; they will go and leave us a peaceful country.)”
Finally, I look at the
voting. Among those who voted against a local tribunal are listed as the following:
Chepchumba, Cheruiyot, Ethuro, Gaichuchie, Gitau, Jirongo, Kaino, Kaloki, Kamau
J.I., Kamau J. M., Kambi, Kapondi,
Kariuki, Kathuri, Kigen, Kiilu, Kilonzo J.K., Kilonzo J.M., Kiuna, Kivuti,
Koech, Konchela, Dr Kones, Ms Kones, Kuttuny, Lagat, Langat, Lessonet,
Letimalo, Linturi, Litole, M’Mithiaru, Machage, Magerer, Mbau, Mbugwa, Mututho,
Mung’aro, Munyaka, Muoki I. M., Muoki D. M., Mureithi, Murgor, Musyimi, Mwangi,
Mwathi, Mwiru, Nguiyai, Njuguna, Onyancha, Ottichilo, Ruto, Sambu, Sirma,
Waibara, Waititu, Wambugu, Washiali, Were and Yakub.
I recall the night President
Kibaki, PM Raila and Martha Karua pleaded with MPs for a local tribunal for PEV
but to no avail. There is no mention of Raila Odinga on that list.
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