And Then It Came..

Not in recent times was an hour been so eagerly anticipated as 13:30 was on Monday 23rd. At this hour the future and fate of the Ocampo 6 was known. In the days before the hearing to confirm the suspects  I could not escape news and analysis in an almost constant media barrage on the ICC confirmation hearings, from every conceivable angle. This was indeed the beginning of a new chapter in the prosecution process and as it turned out 4 of the 6: Uhuru Kenyatta, Francis Muthaura, Joshua Arap Sang and William Samoei Ruto will now have to make numerous trips to the Hague to defend themselves against accusations that range from crimes against humanity of murder, deportation or forcible transfer and persecution to rape and other forms of sexual violence, other inhumane acts and persecution, in a case that could last three or more years.

As the clock has ticked down and we collectively counted down the days perhaps the two most visible suspects were seen taking to their individual campaign trails to ramp up support for their presidential bids saying to the ever attentive media and nation that: “the Criminal Courts ruling will not stop us from vying for the presidency” and that the “presumption of innocence is in the bill of rights”.

But as the ICC’s verdict was read out by Presiding Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova and the ready camera’s zoomed in on their disappointed and dejected faces most Kenyan’s must have known that the fight was on and the speeches for us the ever viewing public were being prepared, and sure enough mere hours later some of the 6 were out some with lawyers in tow to state that they were going to appeal the decision made by the Hague.

The confirmation the 4 only means that the court found sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial and not on the suspect’s guilt or innocence which judge Trendafilova stated numerous times. The 4 are free and innocent but this depends on their adherence to the conditions stated in their summons to appear in court which remain in force. A further warning was issued to the suspects that they are not to partake in incitement of violence or hate speech. Ever doing so would put to an end the freedom and liberty they now enjoy.
On his part Louis Moreno Ocampo who was responsible for bringing the case to the Hague has vowed to go back to the drawing board to continue his search for suspects against Kosgei and investigate the police and Ali.

The Power of Public Pressure:
In the 3 days since the confirmations Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and Francis Kirimi Muthaura have been subject to massive public pressure to step down from their posts as Finance Minister and Head of Civil Service respectively and on Thursday they bowed to it and handed their resignations to the president which he accepted. But in a statement to the media the president stated that Mr. Kenyatta will retain his position as Deputy Vice President.

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