Citizens’ Assembly (CA), an initiative of Ufadhili Trust, is an open and inclusive movement of citizens and organizations committed to the realization of a good constitutional dispensation, social justice and good governance in Kenya through sensitization, mobilization, and engagement of citizens in matters affecting their democratic rights.
Ruto, Uhuru, Muthaura and Sang committed to full trial by the International Criminal Court ( ICC)
Politicians William Samoei Ruto, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, Head of Public Service Amb. Francis Muthaura and Radio Journalist Joshua Arap Sang have now been committed to full trial by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in a decision delivered on 23rd January, 2012.
The Hague-based court however dropped charges against Politician Henry Kosgey and Postal Corporation of Kenya Chief Executive Office, General Mohamed Hussein Ali, who was the police commissioner when the violence erupted.
The decision to commit the four to full trial, taken by the majority of the Pre‐Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court composed of Judges EkaterinaTrendafilova, Cuno Tarfusser and Hans‐Peter Kaul. The Judges said there was sufficient evidence to put the four Kenyans on trial, for war crimes linked to 2007/08 post-election that engulfed Kenya following disputed presidential elections, where about 1,133 people died and over 600,000 displaced, marking the darkest moment in Kenyan history.
However, Judge Kaul differed with the other Judges. He maintains that the ICC is not competent because the crimes committed on the territory of the Republic of Kenya during the post‐election violence of 2007‐2008 in his view were serious common crimes under Kenyan criminal law, but not crimes against humanity as codified in Article 7 of the Rome Statute.
Uhuru Kenyatta and Francis Muthaura, have since stepped aside from their respective cabinet portfolios. Kenyatta relinquished the finance docket but retained the Deputy Prime Minister position.
For more information visit ICC website.
The government has declared all out war against organized criminal gangs. This follows the coming into force the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act. The Act stipulates harsh penalties for those who deal with these criminal gangs in any way. Penalties include life imprisonment, hefty fine up to 1 million as well as a fine of Kshs. 500,000 and a term not exceeding 10 years for those who threaten witnesses. The banned groups /gangs include; Al-Shabaab blamed for instability in Somalia, Amachuma, Angola Msumbiji, Banyamulenge, Baghdad Boys, Charo Shutu, Chinkororo, Coast Housing Land Network, Congo by Force, Dallas Muslim Youth, Forty Brothers, Fort-two Brothers, Jeshi la Embakasi, Jeshi la Mzee and Jeshi la King’ole. Other groups include: Japo Group, Kamjesh, Kamkunji Youth Group, Kaya Bombo Youth, Kosovo Boys, Kuzacha, Makande Army, Mombasa Republican Council, Mungiki Movement, Mungiki Organisation, Mungiki Sect, Republican Revolutionary Council, Sabaot Land Defence Force, Sakina Youth, Siafu, Sungu Sungu and Taliban.
Citizens, the government has warned you against dealing with these groups /gangs.
The referendum day is here with us, (4th August, 2010), but citizens be warned; do not incite, spread hate massages or engage in unlawful activities. This is the warning from the Police Commissioner, Mr. Mathew Iteere.
The Police Commissioner warned, “My instructions to all police officers are to be firm and arrest any person spreading hate speech, incitement or engaging in unlawful activities that can cause a breach of the peace.”
Speaking recently, Dr. Bitange Ndemo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication warned that those caught inciting citizens and spreading hate messages will be prosecuted as stipulated in the Kenya Communications Amendment Act, 2009.
The PS warned that, “Even those who receive and forward hate messages to friends and relatives are liable to prosecution.” He advised the citizens to delete the hate messages.
Recently, the police arraigned in court three Members of Parliament over hate speech and incitement. The MPs are: Hon.Wilfred Machage, Kuria Constituency who has since been stripped his ministerial position as An Assistant Minister for Roads, Hon. Joshua Kutuny; Cherangany Constituency and Hon. Fred Kapondi; Mt. Elgon Constituency.
A renowned constitutional lawyer and member of Ufadhili Trust Board, Dr. PLO Lumumba has taken over as the new Director of Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC). Speaking during a welcoming ceremony at KACC offices at Integrity Centre in
He called on all Kenyans to join in the fight against corruption, “I appeal to Kenyans to make individual vow to fight corruption. Everybody should join the battle against corruption.”
On its part, Ufadhili Trust called on the citizens to make the fight against corruption their own responsibility. Coordinator, Citizens Assembly Initiative says, “Citizens must realize that responsibility begins with them and no foreigner will come to solve their problems.”
