CORD invited to join ICC prayer rallies

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has been invited to join the ongoing prayer rallies for Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang who are facing cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Kandara Member of Parliament Alice Wahome said Kenya has been a beneficiary of God’s miracles saying the prayer rallies will help the cases at the ICC collapse, like was the case with cases facing President Uhuru Kenyatta, Major General Hussein Ali, Francis Muthaura and Henry Kosgei.

She rubbished allegations made by Bungoma Senator and CORD co-principal Moses Wetangula that the government was financing the rallies terming the remarks as malicious.

Wahome also called on her fellow legislatures to heed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s call not to gag the media saying their rights are guaranteed in the Constitution.

Speaking at Kandara constituency where she officially opened Kirigithu Primary school renovation project on Wednesday, Muthoni said Jubilee does not intend to have journalists though urging the fourth estate to regulate their reporting to avoid infringing on other people’s rights.

Wahome said President Kenyatta’s advice was timely adding that Parliament will delete draconian clauses when the bill is brought before the floor of the House.

Yesterday while addressing the public at Nyayo National Stadium President Uhuru Kenyatta voiced his support for the ongoing prayer rallies for Ruto and Sang.

He said Kenyans will not heed to an order by ICC Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji preventing leaders and the media from discussing the cases facing Ruto and Sang, adding that the prayers rallies will go on.

“We will not heed to the ICC judge’s order preventing us from praying, we love God and we will continue praying for Ruto and Sang because we know the power of prayers,” he said.

Kenyatta further noted that only Kenyans have solutions to their problems and called on the international community to support the country in its endeavors.

The President also urged members of parliament to review the controversial Bill in which MPs had sought to muzzle the media.

He said that the freedom of expression is enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution and must be respected.

The discussion come hot on the heels of parliament’s move to approve a contentious clause in the Powers and Privileges Amendment Bill 2014 that prohibits reporters from airing stories that are deemed defamatory to the House.

The House retained Clause 34 of the contentious Bill despite assurance by its mover Eldas MP Adan Keynan that it will be deleted.

The clause further proposes a Sh500,000 fine for anyone who publishes an article deemed defamatory to Parliament.

The clause states: “A person commits an offence if the person publishes any false or scandalous libel on Parliament, its committees or its proceedings or speaks words defamatory of Parliament, its committees or its proceedings”.

Article 35 states: “A person convicted of an offence under this Act for which no penalty provided shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years or to both”.

The Bill also gives the Clerk powers to make a request to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to take action actions the said person with the DPP being required to submit a report to the clerk within 30 days of receipt of the request for action to be taken on the matter.