Kenya’s Vice President is lobbying the UN Security Council to suspend crimes against humanity charges against Kenyan officials.

Kalonzo Musyoka met on Tuesday with the UN chief Ban Ki-moon and other UN officials to persuade them to suspend the trials of six Kenyans, the so-called “Ocampo Six”, wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for taking part in 2007-2008 post-election violence that left around 1,200 dead.

Additionally, Kenya’s representatives formally asked the Security Council to give their own courts one year to prosecute the alleged perpetrators. They are backed by other African delegations who want the Council to at least consider the request.

South Africa's UN envoy Baso Sangqu said that "when a member state, such as Kenya has done, writes to the Council, South Africa believes it is its right to be heard."

"What decision it takes after consideration is up to the Council," he added.

However, the western powers on the Council - Britain, France and the United States - have made it known that they would not support the suspension.

"This message has been given to Mr. Musyoka during meetings here," said a diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

What will the president do?
Meanwhile, in Kenya, the issuing of the summonses for the “Ocampo Six” is big news. Two of them, former police chief Mohammed Hussein Ali and radio executive Joshua arap Sang, have already confirmed they will appear before the judges. Ali’s lawyer was quoted by the Kenyan newspaper Daily Nation saying they are “making arrangements to be at the court at 2:30PM on April 7."

Sang said he will fully cooperate with the ICC. "I will use that opportunity to prove my innocence in the court," the radio executive added for the Kenyan daily.

According to RNW’s local correspondent Michael Kaloki, it is still unknown what will happen with the men: “It is unsure what president Kibaki will do. Two of the ‘Ocampo six’ still serve in Kibaki’s government. And they are some of the president’s strongest allies.”

“There is a lot of speculation, but the general consensus is that they will show up in The Hague, all six of them,” said Kaloki.

The Kenya Commission on Human Rights (KCHR) is happy with the ICC summons and hopes the suspects will show up in The Hague. “We urge the government to cooperate with the ICC as much as possible,” a spokesperson told Radio Netherlands.

Additionally, the Commission wants two of the high-profile suspects to quit their current positions in the Kenyan government. “[Deputy Prime Minister] Kenyatta and [head of public service] Muthaura are in a position that is likely to interfere with the ICC process, witnesses or evidence. The Kenyan constitution demands their resignation”, the KCHR stated.