Watchdog faults Attorney General on court to try crimes against humanity

NAIROBI, KENYA: A Special Division of the High Court to deal with international crimes is yet to set up, almost two years after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) approved recommendations for its establishment.

The latest report faulting the delay was released a week ago by a Human Rights watchdog, Kenyans for Peace with Truth and Justice (KPTJ), poking holes into the proposed structure of the court.

The report accused Attorney General Githu Muigai of misleading the international community that the division had been formed.

The JSC report had recommended that the International Crimes Division of the High court be established in line with international standards, and along The Hague model.

Among the gaps identified in the JSC report is the proposal that the court should also try international crimes such a piracy, drug trafficking and cyber-crime. The report views this recommendation as seeking to dilute the core mandate of the court — to try crimes against humanity.