The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) prosecutor arrived in Kenya on Thursday for talks on trying those behind last year’s post-poll violence, which claimed about 1 500 lives.
According to airport sources, Luis Moreno-Ocampo landed in Nairobi for a two-day visit and was expected to meet the December 2007 election rivals, President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The ICC has conducted preliminary investigations since February 2008 on the violence that broke out during the vote-counting process and spiralled into tribal feuds that also left hundreds of thousands displaced.
The Kenyan government has yet to act on the recommendations of its own year-old inquiry that a special tribunal be set up to try key suspects.
Moreno-Ocampo’s office said in September he was determined to prosecute those ”most responsible” for alleged crimes against humanity.
His visit to Kenya could determine whether the ICC chief decides on prosecution with or without a formal green light from the Kenyan executive.
The list of main suspects has not been made public, but it is known to include several ministers and members of Parliament.
On Wednesday, Kenyan Attorney General Amos Wako admitted during a press conference that he was the first official to have his US visa revoked as part of sanctions by Washington on officials accused of involvement in the post-election violence and of obstructing reform. — Sapa-AFP