Ocampo flies in for key reform talks

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo is expected to outline his next step at a meeting to review progress on reforms.

He is expected reveal the stage of investigations and the challenges his team has faced.

The ICC prosecutor has been designated as a guest speaker at the meeting to be opened by Mr Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general who also chairs the Panel of Eminent African Personalities and Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nairobi.

Mr Moreno-Ocampo, who jetted arrived on Tuesday evening from The Hague, and Mr Annan will meet President Kibaki and Mr Odinga on Wednesday.

The prosecutor is expected to comment on allegations of manipulation and intimidation of witnesses, and government cooperation.

On Tuesday, the government was categorical it will cooperate with the ICC.

“You know we tried to set up a local tribunal, but MPs rejected it. That is how the envelope ended up with The Hague and we have no option but to co-operate with the ICC process,” Mr Odinga told visiting US Undersecretary for Democracy and Global Affairs, Ms Maria Otero.

Ms Otero said Kenya needs to co-operate on the ICC and clean up the Judiciary to end the culture of impunity.

“There is concern that Kenya has people who have not been thinking about the country. They have amassed wealth for themselves and they have created the impression that Kenyans are corrupt. That is the reputation you need to discard by co-operating with the ICC and reforming the Judiciary,” she said.

This is the second meeting to appraise the Coalition Government. The first one was held in Geneva in March last year.

Mr Annan, who arrived on Sunday, was the architect of the National Accord that ended two months of violent clashes in 2008.