EACJ should try Kenyan violence suspects

Editor, I fully support the resolution passed this week by the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) proposing that the International Criminal Court (ICC) transfers cases of Kenyan government officials to the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), which was initiated to help resolve the disputes among the citizens of the East Africa Community (EAC).

Friday, April 27, 2012

Editor,I fully support the resolution passed this week by the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) proposing that the International Criminal Court (ICC) transfers cases of Kenyan government officials to the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), which was initiated to help resolve the disputes among the citizens of the East Africa Community (EAC). The Hague based ICC has indicted Kenya’s Deputy Prime Minister and now former finance minister, Uhuru Kenyatta, former head of the Civil Service, Amb. Francis Muthaura, former Minister and current Member of Parliament for Eldoret North, William Ruto and radio journalist, Joshua Arap Sang, over their alleged involvement in the 2007/8 post-election violence in east Africa’s largest economy. I am not saying these leaders did not commit the crimes they are accused of but I am optimistic that the regional court is capable to handle such cases without necessarily the involvement of the ICC.If we don’t give a priority to EACJ, it will lose value and western countries will start doubting the essence of putting up such a court. Why should we seek solutions from foreign countries if we can effectively resolve them domestically? I urge all the regional Heads of State to support the proposal for the benefit of our community.Edgar Murisa USA