Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is this weekend scheduled to lead a series of rallies in Rift Valley and Central provinces to show solidarity with the four individuals whose crimes against humanity charges were confirmed by the ICC. Kalonzo will lead over 70 G7 alliedMPs to Eldoret today to attend a rally organised by Eldoret NorthMP William Ruto who is among the four whose charges were confirmed. The rally, to be held at the 64 Stadium will also hold special prayers for the four.
Also expected at the rally are Ruto's co-accused, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, and radio presenter Joshua arap Sang. It is not clear if Head of the Civil Service Francis Muthaura will attend. It is also not clear whether the rallies will be attended by representatives from the IDPs who are still living in camps. Ruto and Uhuru are planning a series of rallies to reassure theirsupporters that the confirmation of charges will not bring an end to their presidentialambitions.
Sources said Uhuru, Ruto and several MPsmet in Nairobi on Tuesday— a day after the verdict was delivered—and decided to hold the rallies during which they will urge forcalm among their supporters. There were no incidents reported following the delivery of the ruling. After Eldoret, the leaders will go to Ruiru in Kiambuon Saturday for a similar meeting. A third rally will be held in Meru next Thursday. "We are hitting the road for themother of all rallies with Uhuru and Ruto. After the Ruiru and Meru meeting next week, we will then announce a programme for countrywide tours and rallies," saidNithi MP Kareke Mbiuki, a close Uhuru ally.
He said the the rallies will be usedto reaffirm Uhuru's and Ruto's quest for the presidency. Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny said thatover 70 MPs had confirmed their attendance at the Eldoret rally which he said will signal a new politicaldirection the country will take. Kutuny, a close Ruto ally, said the rallies will— apart from declaring solidarity with the Ocampo Four— provide the leaders with an opportunity to provide a new politicallandscape. "We will be assuring oursupporters that both Uhuru and Ruto will be in the race,” he said.
Gender minister Naomi Shaban confirmed the main agenda of the rallies will be to re-affirm that Ruto and Uhuru were still in the race, something that Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo has insisted is not possible as the new constitution made them ineligible to contest for office as they were facing crimes against humanity charges.
Mutula's position has been widely criticised by MPs allied to Ruto and Uhuru. Former Gatanga MP DavidMurathe said Mutula's opinion was not binding. “The two principals agreed to appoint an Attorney General whowas thoroughly vetted and is the one who is mandated to advise the governmenton such matters. The Public Officers Ethics Act that Mutula keeps referringto only presupposes economic crimes and not other crimes ,” Murathe said, a close associate of Uhuru.
Mutula's statements and comments have caused friction between Kalonzo and other MPs allied to the G7 alliance. They have in recent days been putting pressure on Kalonzo to dissociate himself or reprimand Mutula who is the ODM-K now renamed Wiper Democratic Movement.
Yesterday, professionals from Ukambani criticised Mutula for "misleading the public" as far as the issue of Ruto and Uhuru's continued involvement in the presidential race was concerned. The professionals led by Mwengi Mutuse said the minister’sremarks were "far fetched and would greatly harm the presidential prospects of VPKalonzo." “Minister Mutula is becoming a big let down not only for thecommunity but the country at large for his reckless and insensitive statements,”Mutuse said during a press conference at a city hotel.
