Kenya urged to snub amnesty calls

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Kenya's Attorney General has rejected calls to grant amnesty to politicians linked to the post-election violence witnessed earlier this year.

Amos Wako told a commission of inquiry that those found guilty should be barred from holding public office.

A debate has been a raging on whether an amnesty should be given to those accused of organising the violence.

Some 1,500 people died and 600,000 others displaced during clashes after last December's disputed polls.

Mr Wako also said he regretted that police had failed to gather enough evidence to sustain the prosecution of many cases linked to the post-election violence.

He recommended the creation of a Criminal Investigation Department that would be under the Attorney General's office.

"I wish I had powers not only to prosecute but also direct investigations," Mr Wako told the commission led by Appeal Court Judge Phillip Waki.

The Commission was set up by President Mwai Kibaki to examine the causes of violence and recommend remedial measures following an agreement by the mediation team led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Kenya's coalition government was formed after the disputed elections sparked weeks of political violence.

Supporters of Prime Minister Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party have been calling for an amnesty for those accused of organising and participating in the violence - a suggestion opposed by their coalition partners, the Party of National Unity (PNU).