Most Kenyans want violence suspects tried by ICC

By Jack Kimball and Humphrey Malalo

NAIROBI (Reuters) - The majority of Kenyans want suspects for the east African nation's post-election bloodshed to stand trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) not a local tribunal, a survey said on Saturday.

Foreign donors, Kenyans and local markets are closely watching the debate over whether those behind the 2008 violence -- which killed 1,300 people and displaced 300,000 more -- should be tried at home or at the Hague-based court.

Kenya's coalition leaders, President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, are trying to push the local option. But there is resistance from some politicians, and the ICC has said it is ready to step in if the government fails.

Respected local pollster Steadman said 68 percent of Kenyans wanted perpetrators tried at the ICC while only 14 percent desired local courts and 13 percent favored an amnesty. The data was almost identical when broken down by political parties.

While some analysts see justice for the 2008 violence as crucial to future stability in east Africa's largest economy -- which faces its next poll in 2012 -- others warn a judicial process may destabilize Kenya by stirring up old hatreds.

The Steadman poll highlighted Kenyans' widespread skepticism that any powerful individuals will be brought to account locally for the worst bloodshed in the nation's post-independence history due to traditional impunity among its political class.

Crisis mediator and former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan handed over a sealed envelope last week with the names of 10 top suspects to ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo. Steadman's study was carried out before the envelope was handed over.

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