Written by Frankline Bwire and David Indeje 2012-04-29 20:38:00 Read 1264 Times

Gichugu legislator Martha Karua  addressing Busia residents at the Busia Polytechnic. Photo I Frankline Bwire

Narck Kenya Party leader Marth Karua who is also the legislator for Gichugu, has reiterated the need for the International Criminal Court cases facing the four Kenyan suspects to continue at The Hague.

Karua said, “I am looking and I am surprised with the way the cabinet is trying to change its stance in the way justice should be administered."

She said, while as a Justice Minister, she proposed for the formation of a local tribunal which was not supported and now she is surprised they want the cases to be heard in the country.

This comes barely a week when President Mwai Kibaki said they have to do their best to bring the case back within.

The President had said, “Victims of post-election violence deserve justice.  The Kenyans facing trials also deserve a fair and legal hearing.  In the meantime, I call on Kenyans to remain calm even as we pursue the option of having a local mechanism to deal with any international crimes. “

The said cases affect   the Deputy Prime Minister, Uhuru Kenyatta, former head of the Civil Service, Amb Francis Muthaura, and Member of Parliament for Eldoret North, Hon William Ruto and radio journalist, Joshua Arap Sang who have been indicated by the ICC to face charges.

She thus said, “To me if we had come up with an independent task force to look into the ICC cases, then people would have believed, but now, the case is about to begin, let it continue as they had wished for.”

Subsequently, Augustine Lotodo a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) differed with last week’s decision to have the ICC case to be brought to Kenya.

However, he faulted the decision that was made at the EALA, saying the, “ICC was meant to delay justice. 

"Justice delayed is justice denied. As Kenya, we took the case to the Hague, but I am not pleased with the decision, we need those who were affected to get justice, the internally displaced persons to be resettled. Truth will unchain, let the process begin, and let justice be seen to be done to the suspects, “said Lotodo.

Last week EALA passed a resolution urging the EAC Council of Ministers to implore the International Criminal Court to transfer the cases of the four accused Kenyans facing trial at The Hague to the East African Court of Justice.

The resolution moved by Dan Ogalo and seconded by Hon Gervase Akhaabi, received overwhelming support during debate on the floor of the House.  The resolution in part implores that the process of transfer of proceedings from the International Criminal Court to the East African Court of Justice immediately begins on the basis of the fact that the acts complained of, are contraventions of the Treaty.

Police reforms

Earlier at the Busia Polytechnic where she endorsed Mrs Faith Maumoh as the party’s flag bearer to face Amos Wako in the race for senate in Busia County, a race that has also attracted the Director Youth Fund Susan Mang’eni she urged the ministry of Internal Security to speed up reforms in the police department.

Karua said police officers should be equipped fully to ensure they curb the increased criminal activities in several parts of the country, adding that security officers considered unfit to perform their tasks should be sent home just as the four top judges in the judiciary.

She expressed concern that many Kenyans have continued to lose lives due to increased crime rate in the country, citing the current grenade attack at Ngara in Nairobi in which one person died and at least ten others seriously injured.

“The police officers should step up war against crime and emulate the Kenyan army which fought tirelessly with the Alshabab militia in Somalia,” said Karua who is also the Gichugu legislator.

Karua also implored Kenyans to jointly work with the law enforcement agencies in the country to curb the increased cases of insecurity by shunning corruption.

“We must all unite and work closely with the police officers through offering vital information on security related issues,”

Election date

"Our contract as members of parliament is five years and not outside the contract, it is a must then we have to go out and seek for votes.

My decision is right, I must continue to say we have to follow the constitution, elections should be held this year and should not be beyond December,” said Karua.

She added that, "I am still standing firm based on the requirements of the Constitution. People should be able to follow and respect the law. I stand on the tenets of the law and I remain firm," she said.

She said even if the Court of Appeal insists on March next year, she will vehemently say the right thing as per the constitution.

Karua further said that a running mate to any political party can be named once the election date has been announced adding that the running mate should be a person from the party and not from without.

“The political Parties Act states that you cannot campaign for a party if you are not a member, you need to be a member first,” she said.

 “There is no difference in the needs of the people, as Kenyans we need to unite to forge ahead socio, economic development,” said the Party leaders.

Since the passage of the new constitution, we have to protect the rights of each individual.

The Deputy party leader Lotondo reaffirmed that Narc Kenya party is willing to engage with other likeminded parties similar to theirs to achieve the desired goals.

“Within Narc Kenya party, we had the national Delegates Council which resolved not to form alliances with other parties, but our doors are not closed,” said Lotodo

Karua on her side, said, “Coalitions can be more fruitful after the first round of the elections. Narc Kenya is a big party; we shall not tire, until the end of the journey. Once the elections are done, then we shall have options of engaging with others.”

Faith Maumoh who launched her bid for senator, said she had a conviction of serving the people well through sound leadership.

“Mimi nimepata mwito ili kupitia uongozi huo niweze kusaidia jamii – I have a conviction to bring out the best, to address the best issues that are affecting us the people, to unchain the community from the shackles of poverty,” said Maumoh.

She reiterated that, “She does not have the resources, but she has the human resource knowledge,” adding that through Narc Kenya, she is able to fulfill the people’s aspirations because the party is “accommodative, I feel to be home.”

Karua was speaking Sunday at the West Fm studios in Bungoma after she opened new party offices in Busia County and also attended the launch of Faith Maumoh’s campaign bid for senator urging residents to elect into office leaders of great integrity and those who uphold the value of democracy and hold close to their hearts the aspirations, dreams and spirit of the people.

With her Narc Kenya party slogan — One Kenya, One Nation and One People — she intends to open branch offices in Webuye, Monday before leaving Western Kenya.

The iron lady will use her tour to sell her 2012 presidential bid saying she was in a better position to lead this country.

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