ICC launches educative TV programme

By Gakuu Mathenge

The International Criminal Court has launched a TV programme to answer frequently asked questions (FAQs) and help Kenyans understand its processes.

The programme aimed at offering information on latest developments will also explain what will happen to six Kenyans summoned to appear in The Hague on April 7.

The TV programme comes in handy especially at this time the country is highly polarised with hardly any Kenyan left with an objective opinion on the matter – the media, lawyers, politicians, civil society and ordinary wananchi.

With a Cabinet whose members are increasingly speaking at cross-purposes, Kenyans are often at a loss who believe with regard to the ICC cases. Therefore, an independent voice will be highly welcome.

The ICC Kenya TV programme dubbed ‘Ask the Court’ for instance cleared the air about the cases against the Ocampo Six by announcing on Thursday that the suspects were still "free men" until the charges are confirmed.

"They will only be accused after the charges are confirmed and the suspects are put on trial," said ICC Pre-Trial Legal Adviser Gilbert Bitti.

By declaring the alleged suspects were not yet accused, it put to rest anxieties over whether those summoned should resign their public offices on account of being alleged suspects or not.

The "Ask the Court" TV programme by the Outreach Unit of the ICC will also answer the most frequently asked questions raised by the Kenyans on its work, especially on explaining procedures and legal technicalities involved.

The information provided is also aimed at keeping victims of post election violence abreast with the latest developments at ICC.

In its first broadcast, Mr Bitti said the Ocampo-six will be free to come back home after making an appearance on April 7.

"They will come here (the Hague) on 7th April and on the 8th they can be back to Kenya. The chamber on that day will announce the first day of the confirmation of charges. This could take between four to seven months, and they will have to come back on that day" Mohammed El Zeidy said.

Despite opposition by some members of the Cabinet and loud condemnation of the Attorney General Amos Wako’s filing of an application to challenge both the jurisdiction of the ICC in Kenya on the present case, and admissibility of the charges, Mr Bitti said Kenya "was free to challenge the admissibility of the cases since the six suspects had been summoned".

"But the this challenge must be based on actual local proceedings and prosecutions of the same persons with the same charges. You cannot challenge the admissibility of cases based on future proceedings," Mr Bitti added.