EU official says Kenya has chance to try suspects

By Athman Amran

The European Union (EU) says Kenya still has a chance to have its cases currently before the International Criminal Court referred to Kenya.

EU Director for Africa Nick Wescott however said the referral would depend on swift action by the Government to create a credible local mechanism to try post-election violence suspects.

"If there is a local alternative that is credible and would provide adequate judicial treatment to the accusations, there is no need for the ICC to continue," Mr Wescott said at EU’s Nairobi offices, yesterday.

The Government is planning to challenge the admissibility of the cases of the six suspects at the ICC with Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo warning it should do so before April 1.

The EU official also said there is need for President Kibaki’s Party of National Unity and Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement to work together to ensure quick judicial reforms.

Judicial reforms

Mr Wescott said there has been more talk on judicial reforms than action.

"There are a number of avenues open to the people themselves who have been asked to go to The Hague and the Kenya Government as a whole," Wescott said.

He said it is not up to the ICC to make a decision on whether the cases should continue at The Hague or in Kenya, adding ICC would only remain an alternative in case Kenya fails to set up a credible local mechanism.

The EU Africa boss, however, said what is more important is justice for the victims and end to of impunity.