Annan has called the bluff on suspects against local trials

Mr Ruto, who is also a deputy party leader in ODM, remains the key figure in Kalenjin politics and has been mulling over his own presidential bid.

Mr Kenyatta, who is also Finance minister and Kanu chairman, stands at the head of the line-up of leaders from central Kenya seeking to inherit President Kibaki’s mantle.

For the moment, however, a lot of plans might have to be put on hold as the ramifications of The Hague option are considered.

For one, Mr Annan and Mr Ocampo might be moving to call the bluff on those who have been expressing preference for the ICC on the basis that it is slow and ponderous.

For the moment they have put the pressure on President Kibaki and Mr Odinga to move speedily and meet the deadline.

The list remains secret and there is only educated guesswork on who might be set for indictment.

Close reading of the Waki report, however, suggests that the list is topped by leaders from the Rift Valley who financed and organised initial violence; and leaders from central Kenya who in turn organised retaliatory attacks that targeted civilians.

Even if Mr Ocampo might not move immediately, the latest development is pretty dramatic.

Kenya is still far from resolving the root causes of the violence as envisaged under Agenda 4.

The Rift Valley remains a powder keg in terms of Kikuyu-Kalenjin relations despite contacts between leaders from both sides.

Indictments or arrests could well provoke fresh rounds of violence that neither the leaders from both sides, nor President Kibaki or Prime Minister Odinga, could diffuse.