Kalonzo says Government trying to establish credible judicial mechanism to compliment ICC

By VPPS

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka was in South Africa, where he met President Jacob Zuma, with whom he discussed several bilateral issues.

The Vice-President said there were efforts to establish a local judicial mechanism to try suspected masterminds of post-election violence, and denied that the Government was in agreement it would pull out of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"The contribution of ICC in the Kenyan situation requires the complimentary role of a credible local judicial process that will take into account justice for the victims, compensation for losses and more importantly underscoring national healing and coexistence," said the VP.

In the meeting at President Zuma’s official residence in Pretoria,yesterday, the two also discussed the ongoing Southern Sudan referendum and the Somalia crisis.

Kalonzo thanked South Africa for assisting Kenya during the chaos that followed the disputed presidential elections in 2007.

Trading partner

Zuma said Kenya was an important trading partner and a key ally on regional matters.

The Vice-President recognised ICC’s freedom for countries that demonstrate ability to handle their problems locally, saying: "The ICC process provides for the deferment of cases to national mechanisms where appropriate".

Even as a number of MPs plan to table a Bill when Parliament resumes, to seek Kenya’s withdrawal from ICC membership, the VP said that was not the position of the Government.

"The position of the Government is that Kenya is a member of the International Criminal Court in good standing and is committed to the fulfillment of its mandate under the Rome Statute," he said.

From South Africa, the VP flew to Kampala, Uganda, where he is scheduled to meet President Museveni today.