NAIROBI, November 11 – Imenti Central Member of Parliament (MP) Gitobu Imanyara has said the eight persons named in Waki list should be taken to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Hague for trial.
Purporting to speak on behalf of smaller political parties on Tuesday Mr Imanyara said those named had taken part in human rights violations and the matter could no longer be handled within the internal jurisdiction.
“The government should immediately table the Waki report before Parliament after which House recommendations and the Waki list should be sent to The Hague,” Mr Imanyara told journalist at news conference held at Parliament Buildings.
Mr Imanyara who recently returned from South Africa where he attended a Pan African Parliament meeting which discussed the Waki Report, said the current change of heart by major political parties on the findings was because they feared going to the Hague and preferred setting up a local tribunal which they aimed to manipulate.
When Justice Philip Waki presented his report to President Mwai Kibaki major political parties rubbished the report terming it as one filled with ‘rumours.’ They have however in recent weeks taken a different stand.
The MP said even if a local tribunal was established, it would only collect further evidence which would be sent to the ICC.
“The ICC does not convict without evidence. Those named in the report will have to be subjected to greater investigation before a judge determines whether to issue an arrest warrant,” he said.
Mr Imanyara’s statement however conflicted with that of the Democratic Party (DP),which resolved to push for the full implementation of the Waki report locally.
Newly appointed party Secretary General Dr Chris Murungaru said after a National Executive Council meeting that implementation of the report would be a crucial step towards national reconciliation and advised against taking anybody to The Hague.
Dr Murungaru said: "The Tribunal is a local answer to a local problem and which cushions us against the more embarrassing external process through the ICC."
Addressing a news conference at the party headquarters Dr Murungaru said there was no need for leaders to panic over the Waki list.
"Those who fear that their names are in the dreaded envelope in the custody of Mr (Kofi) Annan should exercise patience until the Tribunal starts and completes it work and for sure, some will be acquitted,” Dr Murungaru said.
The former minister stated that talk about amnesty could only be relevant when the country knew who the culprits in the post elections violence were.
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