President Uhuru Kenyatta has finally broken his silence on the continued debate surrounding the International Criminal Court (ICC) case against his Deputy William Ruto and former radio journalist Joshua arap Sang and declared that the right to hold prayer meetings should be respected.
The President told off the ICC Trial Chamber Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji for issuing gagging orders on the cases, saying the court cannot prevent leaders from discussing the issue and that Kenya will not be intimidated by the ICC judges or any other person.
Maintaining that the prayer rallies will go on, Uhuru similarly told off critics always reminding him and Ruto about the ICC cases, saying the Jubilee administration should be allowed to continue with its constitutional mandate without intimidation.
He asked friendly countries to support Kenya and its leadership in its efforts to reconcile and unite the country. Judge Osuji on Friday warned Kenyans against directing abusive comments to The Hague-based court, saying ICC was not impressed by the “unending stream of clamour” through the Kenyan media to influence the outcome of the case.
The President’s remarks come even as the African Union urged the ICC Appeals Chamber to overturn a ruling that allowed use of recanted statements as evidence against Ruto and Sang.
“Na mimi naendelea kusisitiza na kuuliza mataifa ya nje ambayo ni marafiki wa Kenya waendelee kutusaidia na tuendelee kuomba...Jaji hawezi tuambia hatuna nguvu ya kuomba, sisi tunaamini Mungu na tuko na uhuru wa kuomba (I continue to urge the international community who are our friends to continue helping us and we will continue praying.
A judge cannot tell us that we do not have the right to pray. We believe in God and we have the freedom of worship), said the President.
But even as he lashed out at the ICC, the President urged the Members of the National Assembly to grant the media the freedom it deserves while reporting to ensure the its freedoms enshrined in the Constitution are not infringed.
He urged MPs to review the offending clauses in the controversial Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Bill and delete all the contentious clauses meant to limit media freedom and cushion MPs from scrutiny.
The President told the legislators to ensure all the laws passed conform with the Constitution, saying he, too, has no problem being scrutinised by the media.
Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Uhuru claimed that despite the media portraying him in a negative way and attacking him, he moves on firmly.
“Let the media operate freely. Do not fear the media as they exercise the freedom of expression as guaranteed in the Constitution...Wacha waongee hata mimi huwa wananitukana kila siku lakini bado nasimama. (Let them talk, they always abuse me every day but I am still growing strong,” he said.
“I ask you Honourable members with humility and knowing it is your right to make laws, to ensure that all the laws passed conform with the Constitution. Look at the offending clauses and delete them. We cannot have fear over what people say.
However I request that we must be careful over what we say: It should unite Kenyans.” The sentiments by the President come a week after the media fraternity protested the move by MPs to pass the bill sponsored by Eldas MP Adan Keynan that would have curtailed parliamentary reporting.
Following the outcry, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, postponed the final vote on bill until the House reconsiders the offending clauses. The President highlighted his government’s development record, even as he urged leaders to shun divisive politics, saying a lot can be achieved with unity.
Although he acknowledged challenges in the country, President Uhuru, was, however, optimistic they will be solved soon.
“The time has come for sober and honest reflection on how best we can resolve these challenges. This self-evaluation must take place at the community and national level, and my government is working to address these challenges. Our efforts are bearing fruit.”
He urged Kenyans to engage in honest conversations on how to make the country great and a source of common pride. “It is my government’s sincere hope that we will spend more time to leverage these opportunities and less on sterile activities that detract us from where we should be heading as a nation.
We must, with one resolve, say No to vices that would derail us from the path of progress,” said the President. “We have to say No to negativity and politics of divisiveness. We must harness the things that promote unity and oneness in the endeavour to build prosperity for all Kenyans.”
He also urged Kenyans to reject negativity in all its manifestations and stop tolerating each other and instead celebrate one another. Ruto, on his part, assured that the government is focused on exploring existing opportunities rather than getting mired in the challenges the country faces.
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