Hand over secret envelope to the ICC, Annan urged

By Mutinda Mwanzia and Issac Ongiri

Former United Nations Secretary-General and chief negotiator of the peace accord Kofi Annan has been urged to hand over the secret envelope to the International Criminal Court.

Nairobi Metropolitan Development Minister Mutula Kilonzo blamed President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga of failing to offer leadership.

Make list public

Mutula urged Annan to make the secret list public, so that Kenyans can know who has been implicated in post-election violence.

He claimed some ministers had even whipped up support from fellow MPs to vote against the Bill.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Departmental Committee on Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs Mohammed Abdikadir said lack of trust in local judicial institutions had created suspicion on the Government’s commitment to try those implicated.

"What happened in Parliament when the Bill was rejected exposed the mood of the country. Kenyans want to see justice done," said Mr Abdikadir, who is also a lawyer.

Law Society of Kenya Chairman Okongo Omogeni lauded the MPs’ move, saying it was the right way to go to tame a rogue executive.

"The MPs did exactly what they were expected to do. The suspects now have time to prepare to face justice," he said.

Those in the Executive, Mr Omogeni said, should learn a lesson from yesterday’s vote and refrain from playing ping-pong with the lives of Kenyans.

Best approach

City lawyer Mr Paul Muite said the decision by MPs shoot down the Bill was a pointer that Mr Annan needs to act on the secret envelope.

"Kenyans whose relatives were killed, had houses torched and were victimised by the actions of the leaders who supported violence are now waiting for Annan to act," Muite said.

Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo told The Standard he was happy with the development, saying it was the best approach to take.

"We cannot pretend that our Executive has changed. We have seen how they have handled previous cases and this was the best way to go," he said.

Politicians opposed to the Waki report on post-election violence had declared that Justice Philip Waki erred in denying the President and Parliament access to the envelope.