Kenyans want poll chaos suspects tried at The Hague

By Mutinda Mwanzia and Ann Kanina

As the debate rages over where perpetrators of post-election violence should be tried, Kenyans have given their verdict.

And they are resounding in their desire to have the suspects tried at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague.

An overwhelming 68 per cent of Kenyans interviewed by Synovate, formerly the Steadman Group, prefer The Hague.

The verdict comes a day after ICC Prosecutor Luis-Moreno Ocampo opened the envelope containing names of the perpetrators. The prosecutor received the envelope from former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who had in turn got it from Justice Philip Waki who chaired a commission that investigated post-election violence.

.

Keep Reading business

•  Governors reject revenue Bill, demand Sh439.5 billion allocation
•  Firm linked to fake fertiliser calls for arrest of Linturi, NCPB boss Premium
•  KPLC to pay Sh500 million for Nakumatt fire tragedy
•  Scented success: Passion for cologne birthed my venture Premium
•  Lenders raise interest on loans despite CBK holding key rate Premium

The verdict from Kenyans came hot on the heels of the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights’ (KNCHR) report that identified 219 names of people it claims took part in the violence.

Last week, the Cabinet failed to agree which way to go in trying the offenders.

No consensus

The Cabinet meets again on Monday to seek consensus over two Bills that would set up a special tribunal where the suspects would be tried and at the same time amend certain sections of the Constitution.

Parliament resumes on Tuesday and MPs will be eager to see how the meeting goes tomorrow.

Some have vowed to shoot down attempts by the Government to settle for a local solution to try the perpetrators.

With the recent survey, it now seems Kenyans, too, are not keen on a local tribunal.

In the opinion poll, a paltry 14 per cent supported a local tribunal, while 13 per cent of the respondents favoured amnesty.

Two per cent of the respondents were not sure what action should be taken on the perpetrators of the violence.

The poll also ranked Prime Minister Raila Odinga tops if a presidential election were held today. Of the 2,005 people interviewed, 28 per cent said they would vote for Raila. This is a significant rise for the PM from the 19 per cent in April.

President Kibaki’s approval rating remained the same — at six per cent — as in April as did Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s at 14 per cent.

Raila also ranked the highest among the most trusted top Government officials with an approval rating of 18 per cent.

Kalonzo Musyoka ranked second with 17 per cent, and Kibaki third with 14 per cent.

Party popularity

On political parties, ODM maintained its overall national popularity, with a rating of 37 per cent. But this is a significant drop from the 53 per cent rating a year ago.

PNU had a 13 per cent, sliding from 29 per cent, last year.

But perhaps as an indicator of waning public confidence in politicians, 35 per cent of respondents said they had no strong party affiliation.

Releasing the poll results on Saturday at the organisation’s offices in Nairobi, Synovate Research Analyst Tom Wolf said the social, political, economic and cultural barometer is conducted after three months.

He said the survey sampled 2,005 Kenyans aged 18 years and above between July 4 and 16. Data was collected through the Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing.

Wolf said the main objective of the survey was to assess public opinion on several political and social issues.

In its report released on Friday, KNCHR adversely mentions seven Cabinet ministers, three Assistant Ministers, several sitting and former MPs, businessmen and police officers, among others.

Pressure has been mounting on the Government to set up a local tribunal to try the suspects, with the European Union and US envoys criticising the State for allegedly dragging its feet in setting up a local tribunal.

On Thursday, the envoys said the special tribunal must meet international standards if it has to gain the confidence of Kenyans and support of the international community.

They ruled out the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) option supported by some politicians, saying a local tribunal or The Hague were the only options.