LONDON July 23 – Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday told a meeting in London that those who were involved in killing Kenyans during post election violence would face the full force of the law.
Odinga, who has previously maintained that all those who participated in the mayhem should be granted amnesty, informed the United Kingdom (UK) government that independent investigations into the crisis were underway.
The PM who is leading a Kenyan delegation to a three-day investment conference in London, presented a paper on ‘Leadership and Democracy’ at Chattam House.
"We don’t want a victor’s justice. Those who committed murder should go through due process," he said.Odinga assured the UK that Kenya is addressing the root causes of post election violence and would institute constitutional, land and judiciary reforms.
While meeting the Kenyan delegation, Prime Minister Gordon Brown hailed the country for its vigour in recovering from the post election crisis.
"Kenya stood on the brink of civil war. But Kenya stepped away from the brink. Partly due to the leadership of President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga, partly due to the mediation efforts of Kofi Annan, partly due to strong international support for reconciliation but most of all because the Kenyan people turned their backs on violence and chose to work together."
Prime Minister Brown announced an additional donation of over Sh260 million for peace-building in the country.
The British Premier however cautioned the Kenyan delegation over corruption noting that it is a threat to economic growth.
Brown asserted: "Further action against corruption is vital to attract investment and improve economic growth. But I am even more convinced by my talks today that Kenya’s leaders have the will and determination to take the necessary steps."
Odinga dismissed allegations that the Grand Coalition Government was fragile and said it would deliver to the people of Kenya.
Brown pledged his country’s partnership in countering drug trafficking and terrorism as well as in ensuring that WTO trade ministerial meetings- currently underway in Geneva-yield a breakthrough that would bring hope to millions in the developing world.
Brown said the UK would not only endorse the debate on the Trade Round talks at the WTO but would also send the message that Kenya was ready for trade and investment.
Acknowledging Britain’s support on Kenya’s recent political crisis, Odinga however reiterated that his visit was on investment and trade and not aid. "There are already signs of revival of the tourism sector", he said.
Both Brown and Odinga said they welcomed the proposed negotiations between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai but agreed sanctions should still be pressed on the country.
Odinga said African countries had inherited fairly democratic institutions from the founding fathers but that these were later used to consolidate power for imperial governments and killing parliamentary multi-partyism.
Odinga is accompanied by Ministers John Michuki, Moses Wetangula, Kiraitu Murungi, Mutula Kilonzo, Najib Balala and Mohamed Elmi.
Earlier, the PM held discussions with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Kamalesh Sharma who said the body would host a conference on food production to help alleviate the current shortage in Africa.
The Prime Minister said Kenya was hard pressed to increase its grain production after the political conflict and noted that African Development Bank and Malaysia would give Kenya the necessary support.
Odinga also held discussions with Baroness Linda Chalker, now a board member of Renaissance Capital that deals with development in Africa. The PM will later meet members of the Kenyan Diaspora in the UK.
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