IDA ODINGA CALLS FOR LOCAL TRIAL OF ICC SUSPECTS

The wife of Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Mrs Ida Odinga. PHOTO / FILE 

By NATION REPORTER
Posted  Friday, January 27  2012 at  17:22

Ida Odinga has called for the establishment of a local judicial mechanism to try four Kenyan suspects charged by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.

ICC Pre-trial judges on Monday confirmed charges against Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, Eldoret North MP William Ruto and radio journalist Joshua Sang.

Mrs Odinga was quick to clarify that she had yet to consult her husband , Prime Minister Raila Odinga, on the matter and was only expressing her opinion as a mother and a wife to a former political prisoner.

“ These are people we have lived with and are like my brothers. These are people known to me personally…. Its better this case be handled in Kenya,” said Ida.

Mrs Odinga said she shares the anguish that the families and the children of the four accused are currently going through.

"Having been a wife of a former prisoner I understand how Rachel (Ruto’s wife), Mama Ngina (Uhuru’s mother) and radio presenter Sang’s wife and children and Mrs Muthaura’s are feeling.

“ My own mother in-law succumbed to depression when his son who is now my husband Raila Odinga was in prison. I understand how the families are feeling. I can tell you its not a good feeling,” said Ida.

She said there was need for a quick closure for all prosecutions related to the 2007 - 2008 post-election violence.

She also called for a speedy resettlement of all IDPs.Mrs Odinga noted that the problems facing the country at this moment can be surmounted by Kenyans themselves.