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Tag: Uhuru Kenyatta

  • ‘My deputy has been vindicated,’ says President Kenyatta

    ‘My deputy has been vindicated,’ says President Kenyatta

    Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday said the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague had vindicated his deputy William Ruto after terminating a criminal case against him and his co-accused Joshua arap Sang.

    “I am delighted that the Deputy President and Mr. Joshua Sang’s innocence has been vindicated by a decision of no-case-to answer at the ICC. This moment is long overdue but no less joyful. I join my brothers in celebrating their moment of justice,” said Kenyatta.

    In a statement sent from France, where he is on a three day state tour, President Kenyatta said that the victory in this case remained “partial and the quest for justice incomplete, because the International Criminal court elected to blindly pursue ill-conceived, defective agenda at the expense of accountability for PEV”.

    “As a result, many victims await justice, and perpetrators are yet to be brought to account. We will continue the work of healing the nation, uniting the people, reconciling communities and ensuring that justice for the victims is achieved,” said the President.

    Kenyatta, who was also cleared of committing similar crimes at the same court, said that from the start of the case he believed that it was ill-conceived and did not properly examine the experience of Kenyans in the 2007/2008 post election violence.

    He said that for six years during the trial he and his deputy endured a “painful journey with the ICC,” adding that they had cooperated with the international court while bearing heavy responsibilities of leadership.

    “This decision brings to a close what has been a nightmare for my nation. With the conclusion of this case at the ICC, our country is fully back on focus to enhance our efforts towards nation building, promotion of peace and security. For my Deputy and I, this focuses us fully on the affairs of running the State, a mandate given to us by the people of Kenya,” said Kenyatta.

    Regarding the victims of the post-election violence Kenyatta said: “Each and every Kenyan was touched by the tragedy that befell our nation in 2007-2008”.

    The President added: “Each and every victim of this unfortunate happening matters. Not one of them has been forgotten. Their suffering demanded of us as leadership to seek reconciliation. My deputy and I campaigned and were elected on a platform to unite and reconcile our motherland.

    “When you entrusted the leadership of the country to our administration, you made us responsible for the healing and reconciliation of our people.”

    Kenyatta said many victims who had been dislocated had now been resettled and compensated and that the government continues to respond to “the outcomes of that unfortunate period of our history.”

    He has invited all Kenyans to the Afraha Stadium, Nakuru, on Saturday 16th April 2016, for a thanksgiving service.

    “This will be an opportunity for prayers for healing, reconciliation and unity of Kenya as we push on the path of inclusive prosperity for all,” he said.

    Nakuru was one of the hotspots of the post election violence that claimed the lives of over 1000 Kenyans and displaced over 600,000.

     

  • Buhari seeks implementation of counter-terrorism strategies

    Buhari seeks implementation of counter-terrorism strategies

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya, said for peace to reign in the world, the global community must develop and implement comprehensive and coordinated counter-extremism strategies at sub-regional, regional and continental levels.

    Speaking at the opening of bilateral talks between Nigeria and Kenya, President Buhari warned that radicalization and violent extremism were increasingly taking root across Africa and must be tackled head-on and with brand new strategies.

    Buhari, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said: “The threat posed to national, regional and global peace and security by terrorists has taken an alarming dimension in recent times.

    “In Nigeria, Boko Haram has caused havoc, especially in the North-eastern part of the country – killing, maiming, destroying livelihoods and displacing hapless citizens, majority of who are women and children.

    “In Kenya, you also face terrorist challenges. Similarly, Iraq and Syria, are facing their own brand of terrorism which has thrown the entire Middle East into turmoil. Terrorism does not respect religion, creed, race or national boundaries.  No country is safe from the menace.

    “This is why the entire global community must work in a concerted manner, particularly in areas of sharing intelligence and pooling resources and finance to confront the scourge. Our armed forces and security services should also be adequately supported and well-motivated to fight terrorism.

    “It is worth emphasizing that terrorists are continually changing tactics, building alliances, merging and generally getting more sophisticated, all in an attempt to build their capacity to inflict pain and misery on societies.

    “To win the war on terror therefore, we must respond to this phenomenon by developing new and versatile strategies. Together with our allies, Nigeria and Kenya can successfully tackle these challenges that have traumatized and brought untold suffering to our people.

    “The need to tackle and defeat terrorism cannot be overemphasized as there can be no development and prosperity in an atmosphere of insecurity and instability.  “

     

  • Kenyan president ‘tired of ICC interference’

    Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta criticised the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Sunday, saying his East African nation was “tired of interference” in its internal affairs.

    An earlier statement by the presidency said Kenyatta’s criticism was aimed at “foreign envoys.”

    Kenya’s State House later said the barb was directed at the ICC.

    Judges at the ICC this year withdrew charges against Kenyatta, whom they accused in 2011 of stoking ethnic violence after the 2007 presidential election, Reuters reported.

    Prosecutors blamed their failure to put Kenyatta on trial on political interference and widespread interference with witnesses, especially after Kenyatta was elected president in 2013. Kenyatta denied any interference.

    Kenyatta believes the ICC should stop meddling with Kenya’s internal affairs, the presidency said.

    “That is why we are telling those people who are trying to incite Kenyans on issues that are long forgotten that we are tired of their interference.

    “Instead of disturbing us, they should go to resolve the conflicts in Syria and Iraq and give us room to move our country forward,” Kenyatta said.

    Kenyatta’s deputy, William Ruto, is still on trial at the ICC, facing similar but distinct charges.

  • ICC to reopen obstruction case against Kenya

    Judges will reopen a hearing into whether to take action against Kenya over allegations it obstructed investigations into its President Uhuru Kenyatta, after an appeals court ordered them on Wednesday to reconsider their rejection of the case.

    Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) accused Nairobi last year of failing to send in evidence linked to charges that Kenyatta orchestrated a wave of deadly violence after 2007 elections.

    He denied the charges and the case collapsed, Reuters reported.

    The prosecution asked judges to refer Kenya to the United Nations, which could impose sanctions, or the court’s overseeing body.

    An ICC tribunal initially rejected the prosecutors’ request, but the appeals court said on Wednesday the panel had made mistakes in its ruling and told it to think again.

    Any eventual punitive action against Kenya could deepen a divide between the Hague-based court and many African countries who accuse it of bias against the continent.

    The international court, set up more than a decade ago to hold the most powerful to account for the most serious crimes, has convicted just two minor African warlords since it started work in 2002.

    Reading the appeal court decision, Presiding Judge Silvia Fernandez said the lower court had failed to properly assess the role of prosecutors and that errors prevented it “from making a conclusive determination.”

    A failure to cooperate with the court can lead to a reporting of “non-compliance” to the Assembly of States Parties, the ICC’s governing body, or the U.N Security Council, which has the power to impose sanctions, but has so far not done so.

  • Uhuru Kenyatta will appear at ICC in the Hague

    Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has confirmed he will be appearing at the International Criminal Court in The Hague this week.

    He told parliament that his deputy, William Ruto, would be in charge during his absence.

    Mr Kenyatta faces charges of organising ethnic massacres that killed 1,200 people after the 2007 elections – something he denies.

    The 8 October hearing is due to set a date for his trial to begin.

    The ICC had summoned him to appear to explain allegations that evidence against him had been withheld.

    In September, the court postponed the trial after prosecutors said the Kenyan government had failed to deliver key documents. Witnesses for the prosecution have withdrawn from the case.

  • Kenyan president blames domestic foes on attacks

    Kenyan president blames domestic foes on attacks

    Kenya’s president said yesterday that lethal assaults over the past two days that left an estimated 63 people dead were the work of “local political networks,” and were not carried out by the Shabab, a Somali extremist group that has claimed responsibility for the violence.

    “The attack in Lamu was well planned, orchestrated and politically motivated ethnic violence against a Kenyan community,” President Uhuru Kenyatta said, addressing the nation and referring to the county targeted by the violence. He did not provide evidence to support his assertion.

    “This, therefore, was not an Al Shabab terrorist attack. Evidence indicates local political networks were involved in the planning and execution of the heinous attacks,” he said. “This also played into the opportunist network of other criminal gangs.”

     

    Mr. Kenyatta said police officers who had been unable to prevent the attacks had been suspended and would be immediately charged in court. “We are all hurting. Many of us are angry,” he said, calling for the count

    Some analysts questioned whether the attempt by Mr. Kenyatta to shift the blame from the Shabab was a ploy to deflect attention from the government’s failure to protect civilians from the spate of violence. Others saw the president’s words as a reaction to mounting criticism by the main opposition party, which has forcefully rebuked the government for its apparent weakness in the face of attacks that many believe were orchestrated by the Islamic militant group based in neighboring Somalia.

     

  • Jonathan, Kenyatta vow not to succumb to terror

    Jonathan, Kenyatta vow not to succumb to terror

    Africa won’t succumb to terror, President Goodluck Jonathan and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta vowed yesterday in Abuja.

    Stressing that the terror attacks will not hinder progress in the African continent, they maintained that partnership between Nigeria and Kenya holds the key to a prosperous Africa.

    They spoke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja during a joint news conference after bilateral talks between their delegations.

    Jonathan commended Kenyatta for visitng despite recent terrorist attacks on innocent citizens in Kenya.

    He said: “I also want to use this opportunity to express the condolence of Nigeria and government to government of Kenya on the last terror attack. For us in Nigeria we have been experiencing these dastardly acts for sometime now.”

    “Kenya is beginning to experience it. We have to appreciated the courage expressed by the president for not aborting the state visit and the invitation to the World Economic Forum because of the attack.

    Is a clear signal from here that the attack will not stop us from moving forward.”

    “The act of terror in Africa is diversionary, being organised by groups of people that do not want the continent to move forward.”

    “Whenever a country is showing any sign of progress, this criminal elements will strike. Yes they are setting us backward, they are slowing us down, they are killing innocent citizens, they are destroying properties. But surely we will overcome and terror will not stop Africa from progressing.”

    “The terror attack is naturally to frighten people but as governments we will do our best to make sure that we provide maximum protection for our citizens. For this period that President Uhuru Kenyatta has been with us, we have had useful discussions. And of course a joint communique has been issued by the two foreign ministers.”

    According to him, the two countries have signed a number of agreements and Memorandum of Understanding.

    “We are totally committed. We want the MOUS to move into agreement and from there to implementation.” He said.

    He commended Kenya for granting five years visa for committed businessmen from Nigeria.

    “Kenya is not known for tourism alone, it is known also for agriculture especially in the areas of exporting flowers and other related products. This is the essence of this MOUs how we will share experiences.”

    “Kenya is also just joining the oil sector, an area dominated by foreign firms. So they have a lot to learn from us.”

    Kenyatta, who also condoled with Nigerians over the recent bloody attacks in Abuja and other parts of the north, said his country had not been spared of such misfortune “in the hands of cowardly criminals who have no value for life.

    He said: “Let me also use this opportunity to join you as well in condoling your government and the people of Nigeria. Just like the people of Kenya, we have suffered at the hands of cowardly terrorists. People who have no value for life, who continue to wreck wanton havoc on lives and properties in our two countries.

    “My presence here is an indication that these people will not derail us. We will continue, we shall fight the fight and we will win the fight   and in the process we will continue with our agenda of transforming our continent’s economy. This we must not lose focus on.

  • Kenyan president visits Nigeria

    Kenyan President, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, arrived in Abuja on Sunday on an official visit to Nigeria.
    The Kenyan president, who arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the evening, was received by the FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
    Speaking after receiving the visiting president, Mohammed said the visit was to strengthen the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Kenya.
    He said Kenyatta and his host, President Goodluck Jonathan, would discuss how to strengthen economic relationship between the two countries as well as the security challenges facing them.
    “President Jonathan believes in African brotherliness; just yesterday some areas were bombed in Kenya, it is better the two countries come together and discuss the way forward to address the security challenges,” he said.
    Mohammed presented the Kenyan president with the Key to the city, which conferred on him the Honorary Citizenship of Abuja, as a mark of respect for strong friendship between the two countries.
    Kenyatta is also expected to participate in discussions during the World Economic Forum for Africa due to begin in Abuja on Wednesday.

  • Kenya: Kenyatta signs polygamy law

    Kenya: Kenyatta signs polygamy law

    Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law a controversial marriage bill legalising polygamy.

    It brings civil law, where a man was only allowed one wife, into line with customary law, where some cultures allow multiple partners.

    Controversy surrounded an amendment to the bill, supported by many male MPs, allowing men to take more wives without consulting existing spouses.

    Traditionally, first wives are supposed to give prior approval.

    Last month, female MPs walked out of parliament in disgust after their male counterparts voted through the amendment.

    They argued that a decision to take on another wife would affect the whole family, including the financial position of other spouses.

    The bill was also opposed by Christian leaders who urged the president not to sign it into law, saying it undermined Christian principles of marriage and family.

    The marriage legislation has been under discussion for several years and some initial proposals were scrapped at committee stages.

    It has abolished the practice of unofficial traditional marriages which were never registered and could be ended without any legal divorce proceedings.

    But plans to ban the payment of bride prices were dropped – although a person must be 18 to marry and this now applies to all cultures.

    MPs did reject the committee amendment which said a woman should only be entitled to 30% of matrimonial property after death or divorce.

    The law now allows for equal property and inheritance rights – previously a woman had to prove her contribution to the couple’s wealth.

    However, the BBC’s Frenny Jowi in the capital, Nairobi, says this aspect of the legislation could create chaos in polygamous marriages.

    The law stipulates that a wife is entitled to an equal share of whatever the couple acquired during their marriage but in the case of multiple partners it is going to be difficult to determine what each spouse is entitled to if one of them divorces or their husband dies, she says.

    There had also been a proposal to recognise co-habiting couples, known in Kenya as “come-we-stay” relationships, after six months, but this too was dropped. It would have allowed a woman to seek maintenance for herself and any children of the union, had the man left.

  • Uhuru Kenyatta: ICC delays trial till October

    Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been postponed to October.

    The delay was intended to give the the government more time to “provide certain records” to the prosecution, the ICC said in a statement.

    Mr Kenyatta is charged with being behind the ethnic violence surrounding the presidential election in 2007.

    He denies organising the clashes in which 1,200 people died.

    This is the third time the trial has been postponed.

    “The purpose of the adjournment is to provide the government of Kenya with a further, time-limited opportunity to provide certain records, which the prosecution had previously requested,” the ICC said.

    In January, the prosecution was granted a three-month delay so that it could collect more evidence.

     

    Mr Kenyatta – backed by the African Union (AU) – has pushed for the case to be dropped.

    He accuses the ICC of being political, and undermining Kenya’s sovereignty.

    The ICC denies the allegation, saying it is trying to achieve justice for victims of the violence.

    In December, the prosecution said it needed more time to carry out investigations following the loss of two key witnesses.

    One witness had refused to testify and the other had given false evidence, it said.

    Mr Kenyatta’s deputy, William Ruto, is on trial on similar charges at the ICC.

    He and Mr Ruto were on opposite sides of the 2007 election, but formed an alliance for the 2013 election that propelled them to power.