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Kenyan MPs reject violence court Kenyan MPs reject violence court
(41 minutes later)
The Kenyan parliament has voted against a bill to establish a special tribunal to try those implicated in the 2008 post-election violence.The Kenyan parliament has voted against a bill to establish a special tribunal to try those implicated in the 2008 post-election violence.
This could pave the way for a list of suspects to be handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC).This could pave the way for a list of suspects to be handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The government had hoped to beat the 1 March deadline for the tribunal to be set up. A judge asked to investigate the violence gave a 1 March deadline for the tribunal to be set up.
Some 1,500 people were killed after political and ethnic rivalries caused clashes around the country.Some 1,500 people were killed after political and ethnic rivalries caused clashes around the country.
President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga attended the session of parliament to lead the vote in favour of the bill.President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga attended the session of parliament to lead the vote in favour of the bill.
A growing number of MPs had opposed the bill, saying they did not have faith in Kenya's justice system and that those involved in the violence should be tried at The Hague.A growing number of MPs had opposed the bill, saying they did not have faith in Kenya's justice system and that those involved in the violence should be tried at The Hague.
The bill required support from a fixed majority of 145 MPs to be passed, but only 101 MPs voted for the bill. 'Blackmail and bribes'
The bill cannot be re-introduced to parliament until six months have elapsed. The tribunal was a recommendation of a commission of inquiry into the violence, chaired by Justice Philip Waki, which was established during mediation talks chaired by former UN chief Kofi Annan.
The tribunal was a recommendation of a commission of inquiry, chaired by Justice Philip Waki, which was established during mediation talks chaired by former UN chief, Kofi Annan.
Justice Waki handed a sealed list of suspects to Mr Annan, which would be forwarded to the ICC if the Kenyan government did not implement the probe team's recommendations.Justice Waki handed a sealed list of suspects to Mr Annan, which would be forwarded to the ICC if the Kenyan government did not implement the probe team's recommendations.
President Kibaki and Mr Odinga agreed to share power in a coalition government in February 2007 to bring an end to the violence. Mr Annan had previously expressed satisfaction with the government's efforts but correspondents say his position may change if the government fails to meet the March deadline.
The BBC's Anne Mawathe in Nairobi says the government could possibly ask for more time to establish the local tribunal.
The bill required the support of 145 MPs to be passed, but only 101 MPs voted for the bill.
The bill cannot be re-introduced to parliament until six months have elapsed.
The vote was initially set to be held on Tuesday, but the government delayed it to marshal support.
One MP who was opposed to the bill accused the government of using threats, blackmail and bribes to coerce MPs into voting for the bill.
Gitobu Imanyara, the Chama Cha Umma (CCU) party leader, said that the creation of a special local tribunal would entrench the culture of impunity.
He added that the government could not be trusted to try the ringleaders.
"This is the first time we stand a real chance, a real opportunity of arresting the culture of impunity. Let it be one person or two who go to The Hague," he said.
Widespread clashes broke out after Mr Odinga said the results of the December 2007 election had been rigged in favour of the president.
After weeks of talks led by Mr Annan, in February 2008 the rivals agreed to share power to bring an end to the violence.
In December 2008, the Electoral Commission of Kenya, which presided over the controversial poll, was disbanded by parliament following recommendations by another inquiry into the voting process.