Kenyan president set to attend ICC trials with over 150 lawmakers

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to leave the country next week to attend his trial at The Hague with more than 150 Members of Parliament who will be expressing their support for their leader.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is holding a meeting known as Status Conference on Oct. 8 to review crimes against humanity charges against Kenyatta.

Several politicians on Friday rushed to the Netherlands Embassy in Nairobi to secure travel documents to accompany Kenyatta in the trip which will go down in history as the first time a sitting head of state sets foot in the ICC.

"It is important that we show solidarity with the president. Kenyatta was elected by majority of Kenyans. We must make sure he knows that we have confidence in him," Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu said late on Friday.

Ngilu who will be travelling on Monday with the lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties coalition said their gesture is aimed to show solidarity with the president during "these trying moments."

Most of the lawmakers said they will travel to the Hague on Monday, to be present on Wednesday during the status conference and be back on Friday.

The leaders disputed reports that the government is catering for their travel expenses, saying anybody who is travelling to The Hague is paying for their expenses.

Already Deputy President William Ruto is standing trial for alleged crimes committed during the 2007 post election violence.

Ruto, Kenyatta and radio journalist Joshua Sang who are not subject to arrest warrants have pledged to continue voluntarily appearing before the ICC. Charges against the three Kenyans were confirmed on January 23, 2012.

Ruto, Sang and Kenyatta face crimes against humanity charges for their alleged roles in murders, deportation or forcible transfer of population, and persecution during Kenya's 2007-2008 postelection violence.

Charges against former Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura, ex-Police Commissioner Hussein Ali and ex-Industrialization Ministry Henry Kosgey were dropped.

Early this week, the ICC Trial Chamber V (b), by majority, rejected the defense request to excuse Kenyatta from attendance at the status conference scheduled for Oct. 8.

Consequently, the judges ruled that Kenyatta must appear before them in person on that date.

Before his departure, Kenyatta will address both the Senate and the National Assembly on Monday. Enditem