Bid for local tribunal still on, says PM

• Raila optimistic there is room to negotiate and reach consensus

The government’s defeat in its bid to set up a local tribunal to try poll chaos suspects was only a temporary setback, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said on Sunday.

Mr Odinga said the government was still determined to set up a local tribunal, adding that those pushing for the Hague option were delaying justice.

He was speaking in Siaya during the burial of Dr Sylvanus Juma Okech, the former ICT secretary in the Office of the President.

He asked Kenyans not to give up on the quest for justice, saying there was still room to negotiate and reach a consensus on the issue.

“The shooting down of the Bill is like a woman who has miscarried, which does not mean that is the end of her giving birth,” he added.

The new development came as Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara blamed Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Justice minister Martha Karua for the rejection, in Parliament, of the Bill.

He accused the two of rushing the vote on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2009, despite the fact that consultations on a compromise option were still on.

The lawmaker had drawn a compromise deal in an attempt to bridge the gap between the government’s plan for a domestic tribunal and those who wanted the suspects tried at The Hague.

On Sunday, Mr Imanyara said Ms Karua ignored the proposals, which were contained in a letter dated February 11 and addressed to the Mohammed Abdikadir-led Parliamentary Select Committee.

Elsewhere, Rift Valley MPs who rejected the Bill said the move to set up a local tribunal was being pushed to target some individuals and communities.

Have lost faith

Konoin MP, Dr Julius Kones, said yesterday the statues seeking to establish the special tribunal had been drafted with some politicians in mind by those eyeing for the 2012 succession.

The MP, who was speaking in Kericho, said should the Bill be re-introduced before the House, they would once again shoot it down.

Rongai MP Luka Kigen said the way the government was lobbying for a local tribunal was suspect.

The Anglican Church of Kenya Mombasa diocese has backed Parliament for rejecting the Bill.

Bishop Julius Kalu said the Bill’s defeat should be lauded, adding that Kenyans have lost faith in the local judicial system.

Reports by Eric Oloo, Dave Opiyo and Kibiwott Koross