THE HAGUE, Dec 15 – Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto and Henry Kosgey top the list of the six key suspects being investigated by the International Criminal Court over the 2008 post election violence.
Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura and former Police Commissioner Major General (rtd) Mohammed Hussein Ali have being accused of authorising police to use excessive force in Kisumu and Kibera.
“They were killing hundreds of people identified as supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement,” said Mr Ocampo.
KASS FM radio Presenter Joshua arap Sang who closes the list is accused of inciting people to violence. Mr Ruto and Mr Kosgey are accused of planning violence in Eldoret where thousands were evicted from their homes.
Mr Kenyatta on his part accused of sponsoring Mungiki adherents to launch retaliatory attacks in the rift valley.
“He was the focal point between Mungiki and the Party of National Unity. He facilitated the role of the Mungiki,” said the Prosecutor.
Here is Mr Ocampo’s full statement:
ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno‐Ocampo today requested the International Criminal Court to issue summonses to appear against six Kenyan citizens to face justic for massive crimes committed during the post‐election violence (PEV) in Kenya.
The Prosecutor has concluded there are reasonable grounds to believe crimes against humanity were committed, in the first Prosecution case, by: 1. William Samoei Ruto ‐ currently: Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology (suspended), MP for Eldoret North and during the PEV, MP for Eldoret North. The Prosecution considers that he was one of the principal planners and organisers of crimes against PNU supporters; 3. Joshua Arap Sang ‐ currently Head of Operations, KASS FM and during the PEV: Radio broadcaster. The Prosecution considers that he was one of the principal planners and organisers of crimes against PNU supporters.
And in the second Prosecution case, by:
4. Francis Kirimi Muthaura ‐ during the PEV and to date: Head of the Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet and Chairman of the National Security Advisory Committee. The Prosecution considers that he authorised the Police to use excessive force against ODM supporters and to facilitate attacs against ODM supporters. 6. Mohamed Hussein Ali ‐ currently: Chief Executive of the Postal Corporation of Kenya and during the PEV he was Commissioner of the Kenya Police. The Prosecution considers that during the PEV he authorised the use of excessive force against ODM supporters and facilitated ttacks against ODM supporters. “These were not just crimes against innocent Kenyans”, said Prosecutor Moreno‐Ocampo. “They were crimes against humanity as a whole. By breaking the cycle of impunity for massive crimes, victims and their families can have justice. And Kenyans can pave the way to peaceful elections in 2012.”
The judges of Pre‐Trial Chamber II will now review the evidence. If they determine that there are reasonable grounds to believe the six persons named committed the alleged crimes, they will decide on the most appropriate way to ensure their appearance in Court. The Prosecution has requested Summonses to appear.
2. Henry Kiprono Kosgey ‐ currently: Minister of Industrialisation, MP for Tinderet Constituency, ODM Chairman and during the PEV: MP for Tinderet. The Prosecution considers that he was one of the principal planners and organizers of crimes against PNU supporters; and
5. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta ‐ currently: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. The Prosecution considers that during the PEV he helped to mobilize the Mungiki criminal organization to attack ODM supporters and
“The post election period of 2007‐2008 was one of the most violent periods of the nation’s history,” said the Prosecutor.
The post election attacks left more than 1, 100 people dead, 3,500 injured and up to 600, 000 forcibly displaced. During 30 days of violence, there were hundreds of rapes, possibly more, and over 100, 000 properties were destroyed in six of Kenya’s eight provinces.
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