ICC: Tight rope Kibaki will walk in New Year

The New Year is knocking and its highlights would include how President Kibaki handles pressure by Parliament to pull Kenya out of the International Criminal Court (ICC) protocol. This is because though Parliament has made clear its intention to get Kenya out of the Rome Statute, MPs have also given the President, whose signature is needed to accomplish the task, 60 days to start the process or they take unspecified action against him. The ICC headache to the President also manifests itself in the fact that should the six prominent Kenyans listed as post-election violence chief suspects be indicted in the next few weeks, he will also have to take the hard decision of handing them over, especially two of his ministers and one on suspension over an unrelated issue. Though the President was quick to dismiss the prospect of the public officials and ministers mentioned being asked to step aside until they are cleared as premature, he still will have to make the ultimate decision on whether they should do so. Kibaki also has to ensure the implementation of the Constitution remains on course and is free of political interference.