Kibaki appeals for calm after ICC charges

2012-01-24 09:15

Nairobi - President Mwai Kibaki urged fellow Kenyans on Monday to remain calm after the International Criminal Court confirmed charges against four prominent figures over post-election violence four years ago.

"I appeal to everyone to remain calm and peaceful. Our great nation has had its share of challenging times," Kibaki said in a public statement.

The Hague-based ICC said charges of crimes against humanity had been confirmed against presidential hopefuls William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of the country's founding president.

Two other Kenyans, radio host Joshua arap Sang, 36, and Francis Muthaura, the head of Kenya's civil service, will also face trial.

"I have with immediate effect instructed the attorney general to institute a legal team to study the ruling and advise on the way forward," Kibaki said.

Kibaki promised to "fast-track efforts" to support the thousands still living in basic conditions in displaced peoples camps, four years since by the violence that forced about 300 000 people from their homes.

"Let us move our country forward," Kibaki said.

ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo was allowed in March 2010 to investigate six Kenyans, three of them aligned with Kibaki's Party of National Unity and three who supported the opposition Orange Democratic Movement of Raila Odinga, now the prime minister in a coalition government.

Charges were dropped against former industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey and former police chief Muhammed Hussein Ali.

- AFP