Nairobi — International Criminal Court prosecutor Louis Moreno-Ocampo has requested information on investigations and prosecutions in the 2008 post-election violence.

He has also asked for information on measures taken to ensure the safety of victims and witnesses.

A government team led by Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo promised to deliver the information by September.

Serious crimes

In an agreement signed last night, the parties said "Kenya will refer those responsible for the most serious crimes" to The Hague if there is no agreement in Parliament.

"Both Kenya and the ICC prosecutor agree that impunity is not an option, that to prevent new violence in 2012 it is necessary to prosecute those responsible for crimes committed during the post-election violence."

According to the agreement signed by Mr Ocampo, Mr Kilonzo, Lands minister James Orengo and Attorney General Amos Wako, the ICC prosecutor confirmed that he had started a preliminary examination.

"We now have an important and binding working arrangement between the government of Kenya and the ICC to ensure impunity is punished. If they ask for any information we will provide it," Mr Orengo told Saturday Nation on Friday night.

Mr Ocampo told the Kenyan team that crimes committed after the 2007 elections may fall in the ICC's jurisdiction.

"The prosecutor and Kenya's representatives agreed that should the authorities carry out genuine judicial proceedings against those most responsible, the prosecutor will have no ground to intervene," the agreement reads in part.