Kibaki meets head of ICC assembly

By PPSPosted Friday, January 28 2011 at 17:07

President Mwai Kibaki met the president of the political wing of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday and expressed Kenya's will to implement a local mechanism to try post-election violence suspects.

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President Kibaki told the ICC assembly president Christian Wenaweser that the local process would observe both the constitution and the Rome Statute as the country is still a member of the assembly.

"Kenya has taken and will continue to implement measures to establish national judicial mechanisms to deal with and try post-election violence suspects within the framework of the Constitution of Kenya and the Rome Statute under the principle complementarily, "

a statement from the Presidential Press Service noted.

At the meeting attended by Attorney General Amos Wako, Cabinet ministers Mutula Kilonzo, James Orengo and assistant minister Richard Onyonka, the President assured Mr Wenaweser that actions that have been taken by the Government in respect of post-election violence are fully in compliance with Rome Statute.

He signalled the pending Bills in Parliament including the Judicial Service Bill 2011, the Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Bill 2011, and others meant to reform the Judiciary, the Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

According to the PPS statement, all parties “acknowledged that pursuit of justice should be seen in the context of peace, national cohesion, reconciliation and respect for national dignity and sovereignty.”

Mr Wenaweser expressed his appreciation of Kenya’s continued cooperation with the ICC including the enactment of enabling and implementing legislation which is the International Crime Act.

He acknowledged that the country has a new constitution and is already at an advanced stage in the enactment of enabling legislation for the reform of the Judiciary and the Police Service as well as the establishment of Independent Commissions to ensure high standards of governance and the rule of law.