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"content": "Was it not possible for the President to simply sit in the State House and watch the proceedings that went on the ICC via video conference? Mr. Speaker, Sir, those of us who were there watched the proceedings. We saw what was happening. It became very clear that this process is not just a technical judicial process, but also a political process. It was very clear that the issues at hand were not really issues of law, but politics. We understand international politics, saw and continue to see international politics. There are those of us in Kenya who might believe that when we go to The Hague that Europe stops or The Hague stops. I would like to inform fellow Kenyans that in The Hague they do not even know that such a process is going on. The newspapers in The Hague do not even report that there is such a procedure going on. So, they are safe. For them life goes on normally. I do not think that they are aware of upheavals that they cause not just in Kenya, but also in other parts of the world, when they go ahead and mess with offices that are supposed to be duly respected. Therefore, as we deal with this matter and pray for the President, the Deputy President and Mr. Sang, we should do so in unity. There are those of us who have now earned the name of the personification of criticizers. There are those of us who will be seen and, immediately, we will know that something is going to be opposed. There is nothing wrong with that, except for the fact that it is African tradition that I can fight with my brother. However, when that happens, it is our own war. When my cousin and I start fighting, then my brother will automatically support me to fight my cousin. It is the way we have lived for many generations. Therefore, as partisan politicians, we can engage on this matter as a political parties matter. However, the truth must be told because this is the matter for the nation. The President is the President of the nation, not a section or party. He is the President of Kenya. When the presidency is under attack, all of us from all corners of Kenya, should see it as such. When we are attacked from the outside, we, as a nation, should always stand together. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the ICC will not unify Kenyans. In fact, it has the opposite possibility of dividing Kenyans. Kenyans will be unified by Kenyans. When we sat there, there were arguments to the effect that if the cases are dismissed and withdrawn, then we will have forgotten the plight of the victims of violence. Far from it, there is actually no direct relationship between the future of the victims and what happens in The Hague. This is because, at the moment, it is the same presidency that we are relying on to deal with the issues of the victims of 2007-2008 violence. Antagonizing and destroying the presidency, in its self, will not solve the problems of the victims. We, as a House, Parliament and the people of this great Republic, must deal with the victims in a manner that is humane, respects the sufferings that they went through, recognizes their humanity The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}