Kibaki: Calls for suspects to leave office premature

President Kibaki has termed as premature calls for those named as key post election violence suspects to vacate office.

He said they were yet to be fully investigated.

"I wish to state that the people who have been mentioned have not yet been fully investigated as the pre-trial process in The Hague has only but began. They therefore cannot be judged as guilty until the charges are confirmed by the court.," President Kibaki said in a statement minutes after International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo revealed the suspects.

"Calls for action to be taken against them are therefore prejudicial, preemptive and against the rules of natural justice," said the President.

He also reiterated that the government would pursue the option of forming a local judicial mechanism to try the suspects.

"In the meantime I wish to state that the government is fully committed to the establishment of a local tribunal to deal with those behind the post election violence, in accordance with stipulations of the new constitution.

"As a nation we must also focus on the need for national healing and reconciliation. This is paramount as we move forward on the path of national peace and unity," he said.

The President also assured Kenyans of their security and the government would ensure that their lives and property are protected.

On Wednesday, Mr Moreno-Ocampo named Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta, his Industrialisation counterpart Henry Kosgey, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, the head of the civil service Francis Muthaura, former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali and journalist Joshua arap Sang as key suspects.

The violence left 1,133 people dead and another 650,000 uprooted from their homes.