Kenya’s Members of Parliament (MP) are asking citizens for suggestions on the creation of a special tribunal to try those suspected of inciting violence following last year’s election.
”Here is your chance to fight against Impunity in Kenya. Impunity or exemption from punishment is a dangerous cancer affecting negatively on the citizens and spreading like bush fire in Kenya. Say no to impunity and demand action against all criminals. Support by joining the cause to end impunity in Kenya,” says Member of Parliament Gitobu Imanyara.
The MP's launched a website asking for public support for a special tribunal to prosecute perpetrators of the 2007-2008 post election violence and proposed a new bill in parliament. Kenyan citizens can help improve it by commenting on it at the website.
“We want to make the process as interactive as possible,” said Imanyara during the website launch. “Signing and assenting to the amendment is the last chance for the government to prove that it will deal with the ongoing culture of impunity.”
The bill is the only way for the Kenyan government to stop the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague in its bid to take over the prosecution.
Former UN –Secretary General Kofi Annan urged Kenya to set up a tribunal by August. If not, he will ask the ICC to bring proceedings against those most responsible for last year’s violence.
The passionate and sometimes personal interest in the issue by many top Kenyan politicians makes it difficult to come to a consensus about the tribunals.
Also in attendance at conference was former Minister President Paul Muite. He expressed his support for the bill and vowed to lobby his fellow MPs for the required two-thirds majority in parliament.
Legal experts will help to fine-tune the bill, the first version was rejected by parliament in February.
The riots started shortly after opponent Raila Odinga accused elected President Mwai Kibaki of electoral manipulation. The violence escalated and turned directly against the Kikuyu community, of which Kibaki is a member. The ethnic violence peaked with the killing of over 30 unarmed civilians in a church on New Years Day. In total, 1.133 people were killed.
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Kenya is at the crossroads once again. With the forth coming referendum on the constitution, personal interests come to the fore. The parliament is divided and so is the Church. Islam Supports the constitution not because it is flawless but in the fear of them submitting to a government that doesn't recognize them and thus going against the Qur'an- This is nothing to do with the coastal strip said to have belonged to the Sultanate of Zanzibar. Or then it would apply only within the 15mile strip into the mainland. As for the church, the issue of abortion isn't the main thing they are after compared to flexing their muscles and wanting to intimidate the Muslims and the proponents in the name of God. Do we want this country having transplants of Jos? As Prophet Dr. Oduor says "they preach water and Drink wine." The Church's credibility in Kenya shall come only as the Church stops bickering and live right.
There are Churches in Nairobi where there is an average of 1 abortion per month. Then, how do some of the pastors account for the millions they get from the congregants in the name of Panda mbegu and their commercialized gospel? Their people live in the slums while they live in upper market places speaking of God blessing others if they give... Pastors give your riches to the poor as Jesus spoke to the young rich ruler and follow Him.
Kenya's future is in our hands... for the sake of our future generations. For the sake of the times when our great grand children will be alive- Let us as Kenyans make a rightful choice as we head to the referendum. As for those that believe in God pray for the wisdom to know what is His desire in your voting. Like Martin Luther we can dare to think different for the sake of the future.
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