Kenyan MPs to spend Sh84 million at the Hague

Wednesday, September 4, 2013 ·

The Star

MPs and Senators planning to travel to the Hague to give Deputy President William Ruto moral support as he starts his trial are expected to spend around Sh84 million for the four weeks they will be away.

Meanwhile MPs have been recalled to discuss a motion for Kenya to withdraw from the Rome Statute that set up the International Criminal Court.

The National Assembly will reconvene on Thursday to discuss the crimes against humanity cases against President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang.

The Senate will reconvene on Tuesday next week, the day that Ruto and Sang’s case opens in the Hague.

The National Assembly and the Senate had previously been scheduled to resume sittings on September 17.

Even if Parliament resolves that Kenya should withdraw from the Rome Statute, it will not affect the trials of Ruto and Uhuru as it takes one year for the withdrawal to take effect.

MPs are already preparing to travel to the Hague to also attend the trial against Ruto and Sang which starts on Tuesday. Uhuru’s case starts on November 12.

One MP yesterday showed a budget to the Star for the 60 MPs and senators who had already signed up by midday yesterday to travel to the Hague.

“This figure could change depending on the final list of those traveling. Whatever the amount, we will raise it,” said the MP.

“We are asking MPs to foot their own bills but we also have well-wishers who have promised at least 100 million shillings. That will be enough to cater for some of those who will not be able to afford,” added the MP.

Ruto is expected to leave Kenya for the Netherlands this weekend ahead as his trial starts on Tuesday and will run for the next four weeks. MPs plan to go in four shifts with around 20 in the Hague every week.

According to the budget, Sh150,000 has been estimated as daily cost for each MP. This will cover three square meals, transport and accommodation while at the Hague. The MPs will however be expected to buy their own return air tickets.

Although 60 MPs have signed up so far, the plan is for 20 MPs to be there each week.

Assuming that 20 MPs are there in shifts each week for four weeks, the total cost of their per diems will come to Sh84 million, or Sh3 million per day for 28 days.

Yesterday the MPs were finalizing the list of those attending so that they can apply for visas at the Netherlands Embassy and get the funding promised by “well-wishers”.

“We are going to accompany them to give them encouragement that we are with them during these trying moments,” said Tiaty MP Asman Kamama yesterday.

According to the National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, the Bill for the Rome Statute withdrawal is ready and is the shortest in Kenyan history.

“The Bill is ready and it is just one line,” Duale said yesterday.

Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki said that Parliament was being reconvened to discuss “a matter of national importance.”

“It’s just like the way a police officer or a doctor can be called back to their work stations while on leave to address an emergency situation. So if this matter is done away with before September 17, then we will go back to recess,” Kindiki said.

On Monday, more than 30 Jubilee MPs vowed to push for Kenya’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute saying it did not matter whether or not the cases against the three continue.

According to the Rome Statute, a state party can withdrawal from the court but this will not stop any ongoing cases at the ICC.

Mvita MP Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir has criticized attempts by Jubilee MPs to use their numbers in Parliament to push for Kenya’s withdrawal from the ICC.

“Let us not personalize issues. Advocating Kenya’s removal from the Rome Statute just because of safeguarding the president and his deputy will not be fair. This country is bigger than an individual,” he said. He was speaking at a medical camp for people with disabilities at Mombasa’s Makadara grounds yesterday.

In 2010 the Kenyan Parliament itself rejected a local tribunal in preference for having the cases handled at the ICC.

Subsequently it tried to have the cases either withdrawn or referred back to the country.

The Attorney General’s office and the UN Permanent Representative in New York have also unsuccessfully requested the UN Security Council to intervene and refer the cases back to Kenya.