Ida calls for mechanisms to allow cases to be tried locally

By Standard Reporter

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wife, Ida Odinga, said there is need to put in place mechanisms that would allow the four Kenyans facing charges at the International Criminal Court to be tried locally. Breaking her silence, Ida noted that it is only Kenyans who understand their people and leaving the case to go for full trial in a foreign land does not look good the country.

" These are people we have lived with and are like my brothers. These are people known to me personally... It’s better these cases be handled in Kenya," said Ida. Ida said problems facing the country should be dealt with internally instead of seeking international intervention. She also called for a speedy settlement of IDPs. "Many innocent Kenyans continue to languish in IDP camps with empty promises to resettle them. We urge the Government to resolve the IDP problem."

Meanwhile, the Gikuyu, Embu and Meru Association (Gema) Cultural Association want a local mechanism formed to deal with the post-election crisis.

In a statement issued by Gema Cultural Association Chairman Bishop Lawi Imathiu, the group suggested healing and reconciliation be done through the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC). "We believe it is only through a local process that true healing and reconciliation can occur just like it happened in post-apartheid South Africa," said Imathiu.