President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto are facing crimes against humanity charges at The Hague.
Speaking at a public rally on the eve of Deputy President William
Ruto’s departure for The Hague, Kenyatta cautioned the ICC that he and
his deputy could withdraw their cooperation with the court unless their
trials are rescheduled and set at different times.
The Head of State said he and his deputy sought to continue
cooperating with the court but it must not make it dif?cult for them to
cooperate.
Ruto’s trial begins on Tuesday while the President is scheduled to go before judges on November 11.
The trial schedule has the pair at The Hague between November 11 and December 13, meaning that both would be unavailable to lead Kenya’s 50th anniversary of independence.
He ruled out attending the ICC trials at the same time as his deputy,
saying the ICC should not make it the mandate given to them by Kenyans.
Ruto steered clear of the ICC debate, only urging Kenyans to continue
praying for them as they face the challenge. He exuded confidence that
they would triumph.
Said a tough-talking Kenyatta:
“They ( ICC) should not make it impossible for the sovereign nation of Kenya to be led as its citizens democratically chose. Let them not make it difficult for us to conduct our business.”
“We will work with the ICC but it must understand that Kenya has a constitution and Ruto and I won’t be away at the same time,” President Kenyatta told a public rally at Ruiru stadium, Kiambu.
Addressing a mammoth crowd that attended prayers for him and Ruto
before the Deputy President leaves the country this morning for The
Hague for the start of his trial, Kenyatta said their continued
cooperation with the court would be hinged on how they fix their trial dates.
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