By STANDRD TEAM
Kenya could find itself in trouble for hosting Sudan President Omar al-Bashir after the International Criminal Court ( ICC) said it would report his presence in the country to the UN Security Council.
The ICC yesterday said it would report Bashirâs visit so that appropriate steps might be taken.
The world seemed astounded by the Government decision to invite ICC-wanted prime genocide suspect, with Human rights groups protesting.
It took Kenyans and the international community by surprise when Bashir strode to Uhuru Park Grounds at 9.16am amid tight security.
During an official briefing of the Press on Wednesday, the Government, through the Head of Civil Service, Francis Muthaura, did not say Bashirâs was expected.
Instead, Muthaura and top Government officials only talked of the invitation of Southern Sudan President, Salva Kiir. But yesterday, it was President Bashir who showed up.
The ICC wants Bashir for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur.
As a signatory of the Rome Statute that established the ICC, Kenya is obligated to arrest and hand over Bashir. The ICC has no police and relies on states that support it to execute arrests.
Bashirâs presence at the ceremony has been variedly described as âtastelessâ and a sign that Kenya is not keen on honouring it pledge to handover its own post-election suspects.
But Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangâula said the Government could not arrest the leader. "It is un-African to invite a guest and harass him in your house," said the minister.
In protest at Bashirâs presence, some European Union envoys and human rights activists boycotted a luncheon President Kibaki hosted at State House.
