Kenyans still prefer The Hague option

Written By:Carol Gakii/Margaret Kalekye,    Posted: Fri, Nov 12, 2010

More than half of Kenyans want the masterminds of the post election violence tried at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

According to a poll released on Friday by Synovate, the number of those who prefer the Hague option has significantly increased from 54% in June to 68% in October, due to the relentless pursuit of PEV key suspects by the international court.

20 percent of Kenyans however suggest that the post election violence cases can be handled locally while 12 percent feel that amnesty would be the best way to deal with the culprits. 

Those who prefer local trials say judicial reforms as stipulated in the new constitution will restore confidence in the judiciary.

Majority of those supporting ICC are from former Central, Coast, Nyanza, Eastern and Western provinces.

Nairobi, Rift Valley, and North Eastern recorded a lower preference in the Hague option.

"It is also worth noting that the amnesty option is most prevalent in counties found in Rift Valley and North Eastern'' said Synovate MD George Waititu.

The poll surveyed 2002 adults nationwide between 24th and 30th October 2010.

Kenya has already prepared ground for  ICC investigators to start their probe.

Senior police officers and Provincial Commissioners who served in volatile areas during the post-election violence will start giving evidence to ICC officials in Nairobi in November 24.

10 individuals have reportedly received letters from the ICC informing them that they have been adversely mentioned by witnesses in relation to the Post poll chaos.

Eldoret North MP William Ruto confirmed last week that he was one of the suspects on the ICC list as he left for The Hague to record a statement on the violence.