Gov’t paying MPs to attend ICC prayer rallies – Wetangula

Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula has claimed that the Jubilee Government is paying Members of Parliament to attend International Criminal Court (ICC) prayer rallies.

Wetangula further claimed that the government is using public funds to organise the rallies for Deputy President William Ruto and radio journalist Joshua Sang who are facing cases at the ICC.

The CORD co-principal questioned the sincerity of the rallies, which have so far been held in six areas terming the move as hypocritical and mischievous.

He called on Kenyans to pray and stand together for the country to fight the “unending inadequacy, corruption and poverty.”

He accused Jubilee leaders of using the prayer rallies to perpetuate selfish interests, propagate hatred and ethnicity.

Wetangula said that Ruto needs good lawyers to help him fight his case at The Hague and not hypocrisy and political rhetoric.

The Bungoma Senator was speaking at Kilimambogo area in Thika Sub County where he had gone to condole with Mau Mau veteran Gitu wa Kahengeri who lost his wife on Monday.

Kahengeri is among the 20 freedom fighters who were named national heroes on Tuesday’s Mashujaa Day.

On his part, Kahengeri asked Kenyans to keep the peace and shun divisive politics that divide Kenyans along ethnic lines.

He urged Kenyans to stay vigilant and be their brothers’ and sisters’ keepers in a bid to foster unity in the country.

Wetangula’s utterances come even as President Uhuru Kenyatta voiced his support for the prayer rallies that have so far been held in six areas.

In his Mashujaa Day speech, President Kenyatta lashed out at the ICC for ordering a stop in discussions on the ICC cases, saying Kenyans will not be intimidated by the international court.

Kenyatta said the prayers rallies will go on despite ICC judge Chile Osuji’s order to stop, stating that Kenyans know the power of prayer.

“I would like to tell those who have been on our neck with the ICC cases to leave us alone and let us build the country,” said President Kenyatta.

“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,” said the head of state.

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

Citing graft, radicalisation, illicit brew, poaching and divisive politics as some of the challenges facing the nation, President Uhuru called on all Kenyans to be the heroes that Kenyan needs.

By James Gitonga