ICC hits out at Kenyan 'non-cooperation'

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – The Kenyan government did not cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the case against Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta, the ICC’s trial chamber ruled on Monday.

A statement from the ICC said Kenya had been reported to the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute (ASP) for non-compliance.

“Trial Chamber V(B) of the International Criminal Court issued a decision finding that the Republic of Kenya had failed to comply with its obligations to cooperate with the ICC and referred the matter to the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute (ASP),” the statement read.

It added that the ASP “would be best placed to address the lack of cooperation, in order to provide an incentive for the Kenyan Government to cooperate with the Court”.

The prosecution had filed an application with the court arguing the Kenyan government had failed to produce sufficient documents which were to be used as evidence against President Kenyatta for charges of crimes against humanity originating from 2007-08 post-election violence in which thousands died.

Judges said the purported non-cooperation by the Kenyan state “has prevented the Court from exercising its functions and powers under the Statute”.

The case against President Kenyatta was terminated by the same court - Trial Chamber 5(B) - on 13 March last year.