A group of internally displaced persons have stated that complete reconciliation across the nation cannot be achieved without termination of all Kenyan cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The IDPs observed that the pending cases have made reconciliation and cohesion, which received a boost after the United Republican Party and The National Alliance merged in the 2013 elections, impossible and need to be dropped.
PEV VIOLENCE
This comes two weeks after Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Abdi Hassan also told the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) that the pending ICC cases and unsettled IDPS were an impediment to stability in the region.
Stephen Mbugua, the national chairperson of the IDPs, said they have held several meetings and agreed to have all the cases dropped.
"We are the victims of the 2008 post-election violence and our critical observation is that all cases be dropped. Continuation of the matters at ICC breeds suspicion among us," he explained.
According to Mbugua, the IDPs have written a letter ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to inform her of their desire to have the cases terminated and are hopeful she will act on their plea.
"We wrote to the Office of the Prosecutor last year in August and September and we are writing several other letters," added Mbugua.
The former IDPs and others who haven't been resettled to date, however, challenged the Government to treat their plight with the seriousness it deserves.
"The Government should come out strongly and ensure that pending IDPs are settled because not all affected individuals were supported to get out of the camps. Authorities have clear records and should focus on addressing our plight," said Alice Chepkemoi from Burnt Forest.
REAL VICTIMS
Stanley Mengich a former IDP from Burnt Forest questioned the foundation of the ICC cases, saying the real victims were not consulted by investigators hence the matters in court cannot pass the test of justice.
"We just need support and compensation from the Government because we need to go on with lives. The cases won't change our situation," said Mengich.
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