20101219
reuters

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Most Kenyans want public officials among the six suspects the International Criminal Court (ICC) has named as being behind the 2007 post-election violence to quit or be sacked, a poll showed on Saturday.

The ICC Chief Prosecutor's list released on Wednesday included Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey, cabinet secretary Francis Muthaura and former police chief Mohammed Hussein Ali, now head of state-run Postal Corporation of Kenya.

President Mwai Kibaki said he was unlikely to take any action yet against the officials named.

A poll by Infotrak Research & Consulting showed that 82 percent of 1,500 people surveyed across the east African country wanted those named and in public office to either vacate their posts or be removed.

"Majority of Kenyans surveyed want those mentioned by the ICC prosecutor and do hold public offices to either quit their offices or be relieved of their duties," the poll said.

All the six suspects, who also include suspended higher education minister William Ruto and radio executive Joshua arap Sang, have said they would go voluntarily to The Hague as they were confident they could clear their names.

More than 1,220 people died and 350,000 were displaced in the chaos that followed the general election, denting Kenya's reputation for stability in a turbulent region.