ODM, PNU back move to establish local tribunal

By BEAUTTAH OMANGA

Twenty-two political parties have thrown their weight behind a Cabinet decision to establish a local tribunal and urged MPs to enact the law on the same before they proceed for recess.

They said in a statement they were in support of a local mechanism to address post-election violence concerns and want Parliament to comply and set the process in motion.

The parties also cautioned against politicisation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) process in handling the post-election violence case.

The parties, which included coalition partners PNU and ODM, also called on Kenyans to remain calm throughout the process, which has already commenced with the naming of six suspects.

In an advertisement in the print media yesterday, the parties said the future was more important than any single person or number of persons.

"The ICC process is a judicial process. It must be seen to be fair and should not be politicised. Political parties, therefore, urge all politicians to desist from politicising the process," read the statement signed by eleven officials of different parties.

public education

The leaders suggested that Kenyans through the Government and the media and other stakeholders engage in massive public education on the ICC and local tribunal processes to ensure the public is well informed, enhance national cohesion, prevent polarisation of the country and consolidate peace and unity.

They suggested that all the vestiges of the post-election violence, among them internally displaced persons, illegal occupation of property and non-compensation for losses be dealt with before March next year.

The political party leaders urged for immediate electoral reforms to be implemented beginning with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in accordance with the Constitution to avoid a repeat of election related violence.