Kenya recalls envoys for confidential brief

The new French ambassador to Kenya Mr Etienne de Poncins said his country was waiting for the AU to table its resolution so his country could scrutinise it and come up with a "fair decision".

"We have taken note of the AU resolution and we will examine it and react once it is brought to the Security Council," Poncins explained.

Letter dispatched

He was speaking at Kalonzo’s office after the VP briefed him on his shuttle diplomacy.

The US has previously declared it was not keen on supporting Kenya’s bid, saying all those who committed crimes must be dealt with ahead of the next elections to avoid recurrence of chaos.

A diplomat privy to Kenya’s strategy revealed the country is targeting G77 countries (Latin America and Caribbean States) for support.

"We are confident of getting support from several countries," the diplomat claimed.

Last month African leaders unanimously endorsed Kenya’s appeal for a suspension of ICC prosecutions against the " Ocampo Six". The AU Summit dispatched a letter requesting the Security Council to accede to the Kenya’s request.

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad), an East African security and development bloc, had earlier endorsed Kenya’s request.

In 2009, the UN Security Council rejected deferral request by AU for indicted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. During the recent leaders’ summit in Addis Ababa President Kibaki said the Government was preparing to put up the necessary legal framework to try the suspects locally.