Bensouda: Suspects must face justice

By Amos Burkeywo

ICC chief prosecutor Bensouda says the four Kenyan post poll violence suspects must face justice.

She said this on Monday afternoon after landing in the country, while briefing the press on her five-day visit at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi.

The ICC chief prosecutor stated the ICC process will continue irrespective of the outcome of the political process in Kenya adding that the ICC judges have substantial evidence to prosecute the suspects.

She stressed that the people of Kenya are not on trial and neither the government of Kenya nor any ethnic community and ICC will carry out genuine proceedings against the perpetrators of the post poll violence.

She said she was in the country to tour post poll violence hotspots and interact with internally displaced persons.

Bensouda lauded Kenyans, civil societies, and diplomats for their critical support to the ICC.

She also added the ICC is working at a full speed to ensure the suspects are prosecuted and pointed out that the political future of Kenya is in the hands of Kenyans to decide the outcome through the elections.

The four suspects will be allowed to have legal representation in the trial.

She is set to meet President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Tuesday and also meet other key Government officers among them Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, members of the Cabinet sub-committee on ICC matters, and National Security Intelligence Service Director General, Michael Gichangi.

Her visit comes only days after former United Nations boss Kofi Annan left the country. Annan had warned that the presidency of Uhuru or Ruto would be dangerous for Kenya.