Kenyan MPs vow to push for Hague trials

Kenyan MPs want suspected masterminds of the post-election violence tried at the Hague. They have vowed to reject any amendments to the law setting up the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission to ensure it deals with impunity.

The MPs, who included assistant ministers Orwa Ojode and Richard Onyonka, spoke as four ministers said the only alternative left was for the International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo to take over the poll chaos cases.

“If they do not convince MPs that nobody will be spared, and that all those involved will face the full force of the law, we will not support them,” said Mr Ojode. Added Mr Onyonka: “I will not vote for any amendment that does not punish criminal responsibility.”

Elsewhere, Gichugu MP Martha Karua said the government should quit, accusing President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga of failing victims of historical injustices.

“The two are dishonourable people and this government needs to be thrown out at the earliest opportunity. They signed the accord but have now turned around to call for reconciliation,” she said.

Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi also warned that MPs would only support a mechanism that punishes impunity. “We have always said we want criminal accountability... that is why we support ICC,” he said.

Turkana Central MP Ekwe Ethuro and Wajir West’s Adan Keynan also stated that Parliament would go for nothing short of the Hague option.

“Justice can only be achieved if we punish impunity,” added Mr Ethuro. But MPs Simon Mbugua (Kamukunji) and Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu) said Kenya risked opening old wounds if it chose the Hague option.

“We must forgive and forget; we cannot live in the past,” said Mr Mbugua. And, Nominated MP George Nyamweya said the nation was free to pursue any of the four options to heal the country and punish impunity.

At separate functions, Ministers Moses Wetang’ula, James Orengo, Noah Wekesa and Joseph Nyagah said they had opened the door for the ICC to prosecute the suspects.