Nairobi — Justice and Constitutional affairs Minister Mutula Kilonzo wants the International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Louis Moreno-Ocampo to start investigations into last year's post election violence by December 12.

The minister said after parliament shot down a motion in January and recently frustrated Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara's attempt to re-introduce the Bill which forced him to withdraw it, there was no option other than to urge ICC to move in.

While expressing his frustration and that of the government over parliament's failure to pass a legislation that would put in place a local tribunal, Mr Kilonzo said:

"I hope that the trial chamber that has been set up at the ICC will authorize Ocampo to commence investigations before Jamhuri Day so that the message can be loud and clear. I am asking those judges to hear me."

He said matters had been made worse by an obstructive parliament that has been extremely swift to frustrate the government's efforts aimed at addressing past human rights abuses.

Mr Kilonzo, who was speaking at Fort Jesus in Mombasa during the 61st celebrations to mark the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, said Kenyans should not wait to be taught how to honour their own human rights.

Referring to recommendations in a report presented by Prof Alston on police reforms that a section of politicians and leaders opposed saying foreigners should not dictate the government on internal matters, the minister said:

"We should never again allow ourselves to be vilified on the issue of protecting the rights of our own citizens. It should not come from outside but within government."

Mr Kilonzo noted that some Kenyans viewed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as an unfulfilled promise.

"Some Kenyans view the state security apparatus as a sponsor of human rights abuses while others believe that the government has never been keen to punish gross violators of human rights, a view that I hold myself," he said.

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights chairperson Florence Jaoko said although it was the government's responsibility to ensure human rights are observed by putting in place relevant legislation, Kenyans should also hold themselves responsible for human rights abuses.

"When for instance during the post election violence we went torching our neighbours' houses, killing and maiming one another, there were no politicians among us. We should be responsible citizens," she said.

The celebrations were organised by Muslim for Human Rights (Muhuri) and members of other civil societies.