It's late to scuttle ICC Kenya probe, says Orengo

Lands minister James Orengo has warned against politicising the International Criminal Court’s investigations into the post election violence.

Mr Orengo hit out at a section of politicians led by Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka of  attempting to scuttle the Hague investigations by claiming that those who called for mass action after the disputed 2007 election should be the ones to be prosecuted by ICC chief prosecutor Mr Luis Moreno Ocampo.

“It is too late in the day to try and introduce sideshows in order to scuttle the process. It is incumbent upon all Kenyans, and in particular we in government to co-operate with ICC because the Rome Statute is now part of our law,” said the minister.  

He was reacting to claims by Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka that those who called for mass action should bear the greatest responsibility for the violence and should be prosecuted for their actions.

“I know that ICC goes for people who bear the highest responsibilities and I expect the court to go for such people. I also expect the court will not apply double standards and I do not want to say more,” Mr Musyoka told a gathering at Itigo church in Mosop constituency in Nandi County at the weekend.

The Vice-president however, exonerated President Kibaki from any blame saying that he could not have planned the post-election violence.

“I Know His Excellency the President very well. We used to abuse him with Raila while in opposition but he did not hold any grudge against us,” Mr Musyoka, who was in the company of Eldoret North MP William Ruto said.

Mr Orengo said it was hypocritical for Mr Musyoka and his ilk to blame the two principals for the Hague trials when it was clear that the decision to invite Mr Ocampo to investigate the Kenyan situation was a collective decision by the government and even Parliament.

"Kenya has given the ICC immunities and privileges and even diplomatic status, we have a cabinet sub committee coordinating the court’s work, we have also published rules to help ICC investigators to gather evidence, that is how committed the government is to the Rome Statute so people should not start casting aspersions," he charged.

The Lands minister said it was futile for politicians to cast aspersions at the ICC process as their pronouncements would not deter Mr Ocampo from pursuing those who bear the greatest responsibility for the chaos.

“Even the African Union has loudly protested against al Bashir’s indictment, that has not stopped Ocampo from pursuing him so politicians people can shout from the rooftops but nothing will change,” he stated in reference to the warrant of arrest facing the Sudanese leader for war crimes in his country.