Ocampo arrives to begin Kenya probe process

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo has arrived in Kenya to meet with post election violence victims.

The plane carrying Mr Moreno-Ocampo touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 6.20 a.m. Saturday.

The prosecutor was picked by a government limousine from the runway and shielded by three security vehicles and driven out of the airport through the cargo exit.

He is expected to address the media at 10am from the Serena Hotel, Nairobi where an advance team that arrived on Thursday is accommodated. He will address another press conference on Wednesday at the end of his visit.

Mr Moreno-Ocampo makes a visit to Kenya to launch investigations into the 2007/2008 post-election violence that led to the death of 1,133 people and the displacement of 650,000 others from their homes.

During his visit the prosecutor is expected to meet victims of the violence, the business community, religious leaders, the media and government officials.

“All of those who wish to share with the Prosecutor their views and/or information on the post-election violence will have a chance to do so, including those who have reasons to believe they may be subject to investigations or prosecution,” his office announced in a statement posted on the ICC website.

Groups of NGOs have been bringing together victims who will give the prosecutor their views.

Town hall meeting

Mr Moreno-Ocampo, who has reduced the days of his visit from seven to five—Saturday to Wednesday— will use a town hall meeting to explain to Kenyans the work of the ICC and the investigations which he will launch.

He has, however, indicated that he would visit the country later in the year and visit other areas that were affected by the violence outside Nairobi.

The public will be allowed to ask questions during the event whose details will be released later after he has met top government leadership—including President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

In his letter to the government dated April 19, the prosecutor expressed his desire to take part in a public forum during which the public will give their views and expectations.

“The Prosecutor will also participate in a town hall event focused on the theme of justice and reconciliation. He will answer questions and explain the process,” the statement said.

Work closely

Mr Moreno-Ocampo has urged Kenyans to work closely with the Court to stop future election chaos.

“The whole international community is with the Kenyans, all Kenyans must come together and use the law and justice as a basis for their common future. The common goal is to ensure there is no repeat of violence in the 2012 elections,” he said in the statement.

Mr Moreno-Ocampo and his team will embark on investigations that could result in not more than six prominent Kenyans being spirited to the ICC for trials. When the court granted him the authority to launch the investigations, he said that he would try “one or two cases involving up to three suspects each”.

Some 20 names have already been presented to ICC judges.

However, Kenyans will have to contend with the confidential and professional investigative work of the ICC in which Mr Moreno-Ocampo’s team will seek to establish the crimes against humanity that were committed following the disputed 2007 elections.

They also have the task of linking individual politicians, business people, the clergy and civil servants to specific crimes that were committed.

Mr Moreno-Ocampo has also invited people with evidence and those who suspect their names to be on the list to meet him.