Politicians hijacked Moreno-Ocampo’s visit

It is now evident that Kenyans, especially the victims of post-election violence, expected a lot more from ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo.

The prosecutor, on the other hand, had little or nothing to share with them. The victims’ attempts to meet the prosecutor and share their tribulations were thwarted by the police.

It was also unsettling how the media were being evaded by Moreno-Ocampo and State officials. The Press has a responsibility to inform the public and the moment they are avoided, suspicions are raised that something fishy is going on.

Moreno-Ocampo should have used the time he spent visiting the Nairobi National Park to meet and hear what the poll violence victims had to say.

Leaders should also remember the prosecutor left with the image of a nation that practices extra-judicial killings. This was after the murder of Mungiki spokesman Njuguna Gitau.

{Aoko George, Mombasa}

Moreno-Ocampo’s visit was keenly anticipated by many who thought he would provide instant justice for post-election violence victims.

But as usual, politicians hijacked his visit and reduced it to a mere site seeing visit. Wananchi expected the prosecutor would visit an IDP camp just to get an idea of the extent of last year’s chaos that left more than 1,000 dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.

So, as he retires to The Hague, many Kenyans feel his visit missed the point.

{William Ntoina, Kapenguria}

By stating that Kenya will respect the Rome Statute, President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga took a vital step towards ending impunity.

They gave Moreno-Ocampo the mandate to prosecute those who bear the greatest responsibility for post-poll chaos. Kenyans should now wait for due process to be followed because we believe the ICC will uphold the rule of law and bring all the big fish to book.

Wananchi believe that prosecuting the kingpins of poll violence will send a warning to others who might harbour similar evil intentions in future.

In our search for justice, those indicted must not retreat to their ethnic cocoons in search for sympathy and protection.

The principals must also be prepared to arrest senior Government officials and hand them over for prosecution.

{Juma Nyakiti, via e-mail}

 

 

Read all about: The Hague post-election violence local tribunal

 

 

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