Kenya to appeal Bashir arrest order

Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula has said the government will appeal a court ruling that directed the arrest of Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir.

Mr Wetangula said Attorney General Githu Muigai will be requested to seek a reversal of Justice Nicholas Ombija Monday move to issue an arrest warrant for President Bashir, wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity committed in Darfur.

"Since our judicial system provides for right of appeal, we shall carefully look at the judgement with a view to requesting the Attorney General to expeditiously prefer an appeal in the matter," said Mr Wetangula in a statement.

He said that Kenya enjoys "excellent bilateral relations" with Sudan and that Khartoum's action to expel Kenya’s Ambassador to Sudan Robert Mutua Ngesu "may have been prompted by the Sudanese Government’s displeasure with the High Court ruling". (READ: Sudan expels Kenyan ambassador).

"Kenya does not, therefore, contemplate any retaliatory action," said Mr Wetangula.

He said the government was committed to ensuring that the ruling would not hurt relations between the two states.

"The Government of Kenya therefore expresses its deep concern at the very unhelpful High Court ruling and will do everything within its powers to ensure that the ruling does not undermine in any way whatsoever the very cordial and fraternal relations that exist between Kenya and Sudan."