IJCentral: International Justice Central

There seem to be no let up on the debate on whether the suspects of the post election violence should be tried by the local courts or by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

With Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo having fired the first salvo by urging Kenya to have faith in locals courts, a section of the political elite now feel the ministers change of tune was suspect. According to Kilonzo the entrenchment of a new constitution will see reforms in the judiciary and the the police force, ensuring justice for the post election violence victims.

His position has since received the backing of a section of cabinet ministers with the latest entrant being information minister Samuel Poghisio who wants to Kenya to take pride in its sovereignty and have faith in its local courts.

Poghisio spaking in his Pokot backyard called on Kenyans to allow the newly reformed institutions a chance to prove themselves.

However, not all government ministers subscribe to the same school of thought.

Mukurweini legislator Kabando Wa Kabando has since dismissed the justice minister’s proposal saying the processes of setting up new institutions will not be done overnight.

Kabando maintains that “parliament in its wisdom discarded a local tribunal opting instead for The Hague”.

ICC prosecutor Moreno Ocampo has signaled his intention to have between 4-6 Kenyans face trails at the ICC.

Last month the government gave the court the go ahead to set up a base in the country to investigate the post election violence and try the perpetrators.

source: Kenya Broadcasting Company