PM Odinga set to address nation

Prime Minister Raila Odinga is expected to address the nation Wednesday.

Mr Odinga's 5pm address is expected to dwell on issues of national importance including the ongoing debate on Kenya's post election violence cases at the International Criminal Court.

"In the address from his office, the PM will focus on current critical national issues that continue to been the subject of much public debate and, sometimes, anxiety," said a statement from the PM's office Wednesday.

"He will map out the next steps for the country."

Mr Odinga and his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is opposed to a deferral of the cases facing the Ocampo Six while coalition partner Party of National Unity (PNU) and its leader President Kibaki favour a one year delay.

PNU insists the move is informed by the need to allow government to put in place structures leading to creation of a credible judicial mechanism to try the suspects.

Mr Odinga's address comes on the day when a section of the Ocampo Six, thought to bear the greatest responsibility for the violence that left 1,133 dead and 650,000 displaced from their homes, fly out to The Hague to make their initial appearance.

Head of the Civil Service Francis Muthaura left Wednesday morning while Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to depart for The Hague in the evening.

Three of the suspects, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, his Tinderet counterpart Henry Kosgey and radio presenter Joshua arap Sang left Tuesday night.

The sixth, Postmaster General Hussein Ali arrived in the Dutch city Tuesday evening for his date with the ICC on Friday at 4.30 pm, local time. Mr Kenyatta and Mr Muthaura are also slotted to appear at that hour.

Mr Ruto, Mr Kosgey and Mr Sang will appear before the Pre-Trial Chamber on Thursday 11.30 am.

In his address, Mr Odinga is also expected to touch on matters to do with the implementation of the new Constitution. On Tuesday,. the Cabinet approved two Bills seeking to establish the body that will conduct the next elections and another to determine the salaries of public servants.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission Bill now await publication before being presented to Parliament for debate and enactment.

The PM may also use his address to tell the nation what steps the government is taking to mitigate against the drought ravaging certain parts of the country.