Presidential aspirants face lengthy court battles as charges

Presidential aspirants Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto will stand trial before ICC over the post election violence.They are among four suspects who had their charges confirmed by the court based in the Dutch city of The Hague. Others are civil service head Francis Muthaura and Kass FM presenter Joshua arap Sang.Unless the ruling by the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II is overturned on appeal, the suspects face lengthy legal battles for their freedom.But it was a good day for Postmaster-General Hussein Ali and Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey who were discharged for lack of evidence.President Kibaki immediately ordered Attorney-General Githu Muigai to constitute a team of legal experts to advise the government on the way forward.

One of the thorny issues which will occupy the team will be whether Mr Kenyatta, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, and Mr Muthaura can continue holding their positions.Already the civil society has called for their suspension citing a clause in the coalition agreement signed by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, committing the two leaders to sack any public officer charged with crimes arising from the post election violence.

Suspended from duty:

“The parties shall ensure that any person holding public office or any public servant charged with a criminal offence related to 2008 post-election violence shall be suspended from duty until the matter is fully adjudicated upon.The parties shall ensure that any person convicted of a post-election violence offence is barred from holding any public office or contesting any electoral position,” says the National Accord...Click here