By Vitalis Kimutai

Agriculture Minister William Ruto has asked former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to hand over the envelope with names of those suspected to have perpetrated post-election violence to the International Court.

Ruto said the two-month window given to Kenya to set up a local tribunal to try suspects was unnecessary.

“Annan should not waste more time but give the envelope so that those implicated can go to The Hague for the trial,” he said.

The Eldoret North MP said Kenyans want the matter dispensed with so that they could embark on reconstruction, constitutional reform, fight poverty and disease.

He tore into the Waki Report on the post-election violence, saying its contents were a result of witch-hunting and rumours.

“Even a fool can see through the lies in the report as it was inconclusive and based on hearsay,” the minister said.

Endemic corruption

Ruto at the same time attacked Constitutional Affairs Minister Martha Karua for allegedly failing to fight endemic corruption.

“The most responsible and honourable thing is for the Justice Minister to resign for allowing corruption to thrive in the country while she is busy using her position to intimidate others especially her perceived political opponents and those she perceives to be wielding more political clout,” he charged.

He said Karua has no documentation to show that she had effectively fought corruption for the four years she has managed the docket.

“We cannot talk about corruption when no big shot has been jailed for the malpractice. We need to see action taken and not small and innocent people being harassed and hauled to court for allegedly taking part in the malpractices while the main perpetrators are let free,” he said.

He added: “Making populist statements and using corruption as a scapegoat for our failures should not be tolerated. We must gather courage to call a spade a spade.”

Ruto was speaking on Saturday during a funds drive in Sotik. He was accompanied by Roads Minister Franklin Bett, Energy Assistant Minister Charles Keter, MPs Isaac Ruto (Chapalungu) and Joyce Laboso (Sotik).

Lamenting

He said it was unfortunate that people charged with fighting the vice were busy lamenting in barazas and funerals and now corruption was fighting back.

The Minister said there was need for the country to have a sound and long-term plan to fight the vice.

Ruto criticised Church leaders who recently accused President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga of failing to bring change in the country.

“They could have booked an appointment with the two principals to discuss matters affecting society which need to be corrected,” he said.