Kenya: ICC’s Prosecutor Visits Key 2007 Post-election Violence sites
Preparations
have been completed at the Kiambaa KAG church in Burnt Forest for the visit by
ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. She is expected to address a public forum
at the Eldoret Municipal Hall during her two-day visit to Eldoret in Uasin
Gishu.
Senior
police officers have already been sent to Eldoret to boost security at the
church — where 35 people burnt to death — and the area that suffered the
worst violence after the announcement of the disputed 2007 general election
presidential result.
police officers have already been sent to Eldoret to boost security at the
church — where 35 people burnt to death — and the area that suffered the
worst violence after the announcement of the disputed 2007 general election
presidential result.
The
35 victims, who were attacked and torched inside in the church on January 1,
2008 at the height of the poll violence, were buried at the church compound
located about 15 kilometres from Eldoret town on the Nairobi-Eldoret road.
35 victims, who were attacked and torched inside in the church on January 1,
2008 at the height of the poll violence, were buried at the church compound
located about 15 kilometres from Eldoret town on the Nairobi-Eldoret road.
A
memorial church, which now serves as a peace centre, has since been constructed
at the grounds. Some of the survivors of the attack will be at the church
grounds to meet Bensouda, who will be in Eldoret later today and tomorrow.
memorial church, which now serves as a peace centre, has since been constructed
at the grounds. Some of the survivors of the attack will be at the church
grounds to meet Bensouda, who will be in Eldoret later today and tomorrow.
“We
are set for the visit and all arrangements including security have been
completed,” said Eldoret West DC Christopher Wanjau. However, government
officials declined to give more details on the visit even as some of the
survivors and residents said they are hoping to hear from Bensouda on the
ongoing cases involving Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP
William Ruto, former Civil Service head Francis Muthaura and radio journalist
Joshua Sang.
are set for the visit and all arrangements including security have been
completed,” said Eldoret West DC Christopher Wanjau. However, government
officials declined to give more details on the visit even as some of the
survivors and residents said they are hoping to hear from Bensouda on the
ongoing cases involving Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP
William Ruto, former Civil Service head Francis Muthaura and radio journalist
Joshua Sang.
“For
us its a significant visit because we hope t hear a lot from her although we
have since moved on and hope that the coming poll will give us a new
beginning,” said Paul Karanja, who lived near the church but has since relocated
to Eldoret town.
us its a significant visit because we hope t hear a lot from her although we
have since moved on and hope that the coming poll will give us a new
beginning,” said Paul Karanja, who lived near the church but has since relocated
to Eldoret town.
Eldoret
mayor William Rono said although local leaders are keen to meet Bensouda, they
do not have full information on the visit. “As a town we are now happy
that our people are living harmoniously and we have achieved unprecedented
growth despite what we went through during the violence,” said Rono.
mayor William Rono said although local leaders are keen to meet Bensouda, they
do not have full information on the visit. “As a town we are now happy
that our people are living harmoniously and we have achieved unprecedented
growth despite what we went through during the violence,” said Rono.
He
said leaders in collaboration with the clergy and community representatives
have worked hard to ensure peace and reconciliation ahead of the election.
Members of civil society groups in the region are also expect to meet Bensouda.
said leaders in collaboration with the clergy and community representatives
have worked hard to ensure peace and reconciliation ahead of the election.
Members of civil society groups in the region are also expect to meet Bensouda.
Those
expected to attend the public function with Bensouda will be vetted for
security reasons and ICC officials who have been carrying out outreach
activities in the region refused to comment on the trip.
expected to attend the public function with Bensouda will be vetted for
security reasons and ICC officials who have been carrying out outreach
activities in the region refused to comment on the trip.
SOURCE: Allafrica.com
