A screen shot of the Pre-Trial Chamber judge Ekaterina Trendafilova during the initial appearance of three post election violence suspects, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, his Tinderet counterpart Henry Kosgey and radio presenter Joshua arap Sang at The Hague April 7, 2011. Photo/WILLIAM OERI
By OLIVER MATHENGE omathenge@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Friday, July 8 2011 at 10:21
Posted Friday, July 8 2011 at 10:21
Kenyans are evenly divided on whether the 2012 polls will result into violence or not with a majority saying that failure to prosecute the perpetrators of the 2008 post-election chaos is the greatest threat.
A new report also says that more than half of Kenyans are not confident that the police can to stop violence if it occurs in 2012.
According to the Dr Kofi Annan-led Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation, the public, though supporting the prosecution of the Ocampo Six, is disillusioned by lack of progress in arresting lower and middle level perpetrators.
Public fatigue
“The length of time it is taking to deal with post-election violence is generating public fatigue. ” the report released on Wednesday says.
According to the study conducted by South Consulting, which was based on 2,500 respondents drawn from around the country, adequate political, judicial and police reforms should be put in place to prevent a repeat of the violence.
“The failure to hold post-election violence perpetrators to account has increased public scepticism on commitment to fight impunity for ordinary crime. Over half (54 per cent) of those interviewed agree that police officers know members of illegally armed groups but do not take any action against them,” the report says.
It adds that politicians are as sponsors of illegal armed groups that took part in the violence, and which transformed into extortion gangs.
Up to 42 per cent of respondents in the survey think these illegal groups will emerge and play a political role before 2012.
The report also says that some Kenyans think the ICC process has been politicised thus shifting attention from individuals’ criminal responsibility.
The report further says that people from areas which Ocampo Six hail say ICC is designed to eliminate political rivals ahead of 2012 rather than fight impunity.
Some argue that not all perpetrators are being held to account and that the low level perpetrators are yet to be arrested and prosecuted
The report adds that Kenyans 68 per cent of the respondents noted that the current high cost of living has made life worse, and rated the government poorly on its ability to lower the prices of essential commodities.
People are also dissatisfied with the Kibaki and Raila’s commitment to fight corruption and impunity.
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