Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Kenyaâs Prime Minister Calls Bashir Participation Ill-Advised Peter Clottey 29 August 2010 African leaders including indicted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir joined tens of thousands of Kenyans when Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki to signed the new constitution into law, Nairobi, 27 Aug 2010 Photo: AFP African leaders including indicted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir joined tens of thousands of Kenyans when Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki to signed the new constitution into law, Nairobi, 27 Aug 2010 Kenyaâs Prime Minister Raila Odinga said it was ill-advised that Sudanâs embattled President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir was invited to participate in the promulgation of Kenyaâs constitution last Friday. In an exclusive interview with VOA, Prime Minister Odinga said that the Sudanese leader should be held accountable for the crimes committed under his rule. âYou know, Iâm on record as having said that President Bashir needs to answer for the crimes that were committed under his charge and, if only he has been cleared by the ICC (International Criminal Court), that he should be allowed to attend any, or other, meetings of heads of state. So, my position has not changed at all,â he said. U.S President Barack Obama expressed disappointment that Kenya hosted Mr. Bashir in defiance of the International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued against him alleging war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. In a statement, Mr. Obama said Kenyaâs government âhas committed itself to full cooperation with the ICC, and we consider it important that Kenya honor its commitments to the ICC and to international justice, along with all nations that share those responsibilities. In Kenya, and beyond, justice is a critical ingredient for lasting peace.â Former U.N Secretary General Kofi Annan expressed surprise and joined the international community in questioning President Bashirâs participation in the public celebration of Kenyaâs new constitution. AFP Photo Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga Some officials in Kenyaâs coalition government also condemned the Sudanese leaderâs participation after accusing some within the Kenyan administration of keeping his visit under tight wraps. A group of Kenyans also demonstrated demanding Mr. Bashirâs arrest. Local media reported that some European Union envoys, as well as human rights activists, boycotted the state luncheon following the promulgation of the new constitution to protest President Bashirâs attendance. Prime Minister Odinga said he was demanding answers from his partyâs partner in the unity government adding that they were surprised when Mr. Bashirâs name was mentioned during the ceremony. âI have said we want a proper explanation as to how this was done and why we were not informed that Mr. Bashir was going to come because we are a partner in a coalition and we had agreed on a list of guests who were supposed to be invited to the ceremony and (Mr.) Bashir was not one of them,â Prime Minister Odinga said. But, Kenyaâs Foreign Minister, Moses Wetangâula, was quoted as saying President Bashir was invited alongside other heads of state from neighboring countries âbecause it was in Kenyaâs best interests that Sudan gets lasting peace.â Prime Minister Odinga said the country would have to apologize to the international community over Mr. Bashirâs invitation and participation. âOver issues like this there must be proper and thorough consultation before anything like this happens. And, we also want an apology made to the international community, particularly ICC, because we are a signatory and party to the Rome Statute,â Prime Minister Odinga said. .