The Government may not meet the September 30 deadline set to create a local tribunal to try perpetrators of post-election mayhem.

As a result Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo has called on International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo to take over, adding that he had the blessings and support of the Cabinet.

"Nobody has asked Mr Ocampo to extend the deadline and his coming in will be a big relief to me because I have lots of work in making of a new Constitution and boundaries review," said Mr Mutula in Naivasha after opening a workshop for Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission yesterday.

He said it was impossible to create a tribunal of international standards as directed by ICC within the nine days remaining before the deadline.

"Parliament has adjourned without discussing the Imanyara Bill which would have facilitated the formation of a local tribunal," he said.

Reports dismissed

He also dismissed reports by human rights activists that the ICC prosecutor was waiting for an invitation to come into the country for more investigations.

The move paves way for the international court to indict perpetrators of the violence and prosecute them at The Hague.

"We can only arrest suspects of crimes like rape and arson but for crimes against humanity, only the ICC can act on the suspects," he said.