OCAMPO'S DETECTIVES ALREADY ON THE GROUND IN KENYA

By BERNARD NAMUNANE and PETER NG’ETICH,
DAILY NATION
November 2 2009

Foreign investigators are camping in Eldoret ahead of the arrival of International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo on Thursday.

The investigators have been in Eldoret for the last four months. They have been taking pictures and seeking information about Eldoret and its environs.

Of special interest to them has been the burnt down Kenya Assemblies of God Church in Kiambaa Village about six kilometres from the town where 35 people were burnt alive during last year’s post-election violence.

Each group of detectives leaves the town after completing its tasks with others taking over after a few days.

Five detectives are currently renting six rooms at a hotel in the centre of the town. In the group are three men and two women.

The overall team leader has been identified as Mr Steve Collins who is said to be in Djibouti and he could not be reached for comment on his cellphone.

Eldoret East district commissioner Charles Mukele said he was not aware of the presence of the detectives and would send his officers to find out their mission. Uasin Gishu was one of the areas hardest hit by the poll violence.

Burning of the church in New Year was one of the most brutal acts of the violence two days after the declaration of the presidential poll result.

Even as the detectives were carrying on their job, two high-level meetings were held yesterday in preparation for Mr Moreno-Ocampo’s arrival.

President Kibaki chaired the National Security and Foreign Affairs meeting at Harambee House while members of the Management Committee on the Grand Coalition Affairs held a session at Ardhi House.

Implications

Even though the security meeting dwelt on various issues, sources said the implications of Mr Moreno-Ocampo’s visit were discussed.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga also attended the meeting.

At the Grand Coalition Management Committee session, members discussed the position that should be adopted by President Kibaki and Mr Odinga when they meet Mr Moreno-Ocampo.

Sources said the team was split over whether Kenya should co-operate with the ICC prosecutor or not.