Kenyan political and business leaders organised and financed post-election attacks against civilians in 2008, the International Criminal Court's prosecutor Luis moreno Ocampo told judges on Wednesday.

“These senior leaders from both PNU and ODM parties were guided by political objectives to retain or gain power”, says the prosecutor. “They utilized their personal, government, business and tribal networks to commit the crimes. They implemented their policy with the involvement of a number of State officers and public and private institutions, such as members of the parliament, senior government officers, the police force and youth gangs”.

Ocampo provided the judges with a list of the most serious criminal incidents, and a selected list of 20 names of persons who appear to bear the gravest responsibility for these crimes. Both lists are contained in confidential annexes.

The names were identified in the course of different inquiries into the post-election violence, including those carried out by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and the Commission of Investigation on Post-Election Violence (“Waki Commission”).

“At this stage, the names are indicative only” says Ocampo. The allegations concerning the named individuals will have to be measured against the evidence gathered independently by my office. If the Judges authorize the investigation, I will engage those who wish to clarify their role or provide further information.” 

Ocampo also reiterated to the judges that none of the named individuals has yet faced justice in Kenya for the crimes.

The Prosecutor requested an expedited decision by the judges because, in his words, both the victims and those defined as suspects need justice.

Ocampo asked judges last November, per ICC rules, to approve an investigation into the violence in Kenya. Last month, they asked for more information by March 3 on what happened and how it was linked to the state.

Source: ICC