Ocampo: Time to account for Kenya chaos

International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno- Ocampo declared Thursday was an accountability day for Kenya as the first of the suspects he wants to prosecute for post election violence appeared in court.

Mr Moreno-Ocampo said the rights of the suspects would be protected and respected.

He said Eldoret North MP William Ruto had a right to describe the whole process as "devilish" and akin to the stuff of movies.

The prosecutor admitted that Kenya was justified in seeking deferral of the cases back to Nairobi but added that the ICC was part of Kenya's judicial system the country having ratified the treaty establishing the court.

"Promises are not enough. There should be action to investigate and prosecute the cases in Kenya," said Mr Moreno-Ocampo during a news conference after the initial court appearance.

He denied being sucked up into Kenya's politics and said violence should never again be considered a form of doing politics in Kenya.

"Whether it is in Kenya, Rwanda or Libya, violence should never be used as a way of doing politics," he said. "That is the new rule."

"This matter is now in court. The people of Kenya now trust in the rule of law and in the court," said Mr Moreno-Ocampo.

Mr Ruto, Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and radio presenter Joshua arap Sang made their appearance before the Pre-Trial Chamber and were informed of the crimes they are alleged to have committed.

The crimes they are faced with include: murder, forcible transfer of population, deportation and persecution.