ICC finally rules on the Ocampo Six.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Monday it would try Kenya’s presidential contenders William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta and francis Muthaura and Joshua Sang on charges of crimes against humanity during post-election violence in 2007/08.
Let justice take its course.
The Hague-based court said there was sufficient evidence to put Kenyan radio presenter Joshua arap Sang and Kenyan civil service head Francis Muthaura on trial, but the court dropped charges against Henry
Kosgey and General Mohamed Hussein Ali, who was the police commissioner when the violence erupted.
This means the four will face the full force of the law for war crimes linked to Kenya’s 2007/08 post-election deadly was of political violence violence that claimed at least 1,500 people and displaced hundreds of thousands, marking the darkest moment in Kenyan history.
But sources said the four may appeal the decision in the appeals chamber, another process that might take several months.
It was not clear of the Kenyatta and Ruto will keep their word of vying for the Kenyan presidency, but analysts said it was unlikely for them to throw their hats into the race to replace President Mwai Kibaki and would unwise if they do so.
The following are reactions to the decision.
KEN WAFULA, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST IN KENYA
“This ruling changes the political landscape of this country. Kenyans will now be able to go to the polls without fearing violence. I think it was fair, and I think some of us will work through the procesuction process to ensure further evidence is given.”
On charges being dropped against former police commissioner Mohamed Hussein Ali:
“I am disappointed because so many Kenyans were killed by the police and I didn’t expect Ali to escape prosecution, being that Ali was the representative of the police. We may want to push the prosecution to review the case against Ali.”
ALY KHAN SATCHU, INDEPENDENT ANALYST
“The crux of the matter is the reaction to the decision not the decision, which was expected. We are witnessing an inflection point lower in Kenya political risk. This is a tipping point. Kenyan markets have all the bad news baked into the price and none of the positive.” (Jackal News and news agencies)
The ruling will deal with the issue of impunity in Kenya and serious presidential candidates will focus on objective presidential campaigns rather than tribal based politics. Let those involved in the 2007 PEV carry their crosses
Surely, how can you be charged of killing innocent kenyans worse of it in church and still want to be their leader. What want you do now that all powers are in your hands.
Let these people step down without being pushed if really they would like to be our future leaders and were innocent.
We all love them but they should prove not guilty by obiding with the laws.
the people on the ground knows the truth and the the truth that actually relates to our nation and sovereignty, the people rights and whether it was violated and weather it was spontaneous or planned. Of the six named, never did we the people, hear them plan and arm the citizens against others. So for the sake of our nation and human justice shall those handling the case to pardon and let Kenya revisit the issue.Mr Ocampo and ICC should not mess the very good people leaders and drag them on wrongs that they never did.God of heaven will enable forgiveness and reconciliation among us
some top Kenyan’s escape the hands of law because they have money but ICC is the solution to them.let’s the law take its’ control so as to be the important lesson to the others who had such idea of impunity.
If I were Uhuru or Ruto, I would prefer the case to go on to proof my innocence. If indeed they are innocent, I don’t see the reason for panic. ICC is not like Afrrican countries which favour the mighty.
The moment they proof their innocence, people will really respect them. But if they keep on whining, and playing seek and hide, this is when people suspect they are hiding something.
Ruto and Uhuru, God knows what you did or did not do, go for my suggestion and people will respect you.