Uhuru tours Meru as PM insists on ICC trials

Written By:Margaret Kalekye/Wangari Kanyongo,    Posted: Sat, Mar 26, 2011

As the April 7th date with the International Criminal Court draws near for the Ocampo six, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta is expressing optimism that ICC will clear him of any wrong doing over the post election violence.

Speaking in Limuru on Saturday, Uhuru said his conscience remains clear and his innocence will be proved at The Hague.

The deputy premier spoke shortly before heading to Meru for a series of rallies.  

Several MPs who had accompanied him expressed solidarity with Uhuru saying they will walk with him to the end.

Uhuru further called on Kenyans to unite and speak with one voice.  

A section of PNU MPs have announced that they will be accompanying Uhuru to The Hague.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Raila Odinga maintains that the PEV suspects must be tried at the International Criminal Court.

In an exclusive interview with Radio Netherlands Worldwide, Raila said the truals should be referred unless the government agrees to put in place a credible local mechanism controlled by foreign judges, prosecutors and investigators.

 "The trial should take place in The Hague, that's what I think. The trial should proceed there, until Kenya has put in place a competent local mechanism, which I don't think will be achievable."

"We haven't changed our mind," says Odinga. "These are just people that try to misinterpret our position."

He expressed fears that the tribunal being rooted for could be manipulated.

"What they are talking about right now is not a truly independent local tribunal, but a kangaroo court which they can manipulate to get these people acquitted. That is not acceptable." He said

On Tuesday ODM announced that it will sponsor a bill that would create a transparent and independent local tribunal.

"We haven't changed our mind," says Odinga. "These are just people that try to misinterpret our position.

He added" putting up a bill is a long process; it doesn't mean that we want to quit the ICC track at all!"