Kenya polls in 2013 unless govt dissolved

Kenya will hold general elections by mid-March 2013, unless its coalition government is dissolved before then, the high court ruled Friday on a controversial dispute. The date of the general elections, the first since deadly post-poll violence four years ago, has sparked heated debate with rival politicians proposing wildly differing dates from August this year to March 2013. Parliament "expires on 14 January 2013, the elections shall be held within 60 days of 15 January 2013," Judge Isaac Lenaola said. However, the polls could be held this year "within 60 days from the date on which the national coalition is dissolved by written agreement between the president and prime Minister," Lenaola said in the ruling. The court's date can still be challenged. "We are conscious that our findings may be unpopular with a section of Kenyans who have preconceived notions about the elections, but we hasten to reminds Kenyan that our undertaking is not to write or re-write the constitution to suit popular opinion," Lenaola added. "Our responsibility is to interpret the constitution in a manner that remains faithful to its letter and spirit and give effect to its objectives." Kenya plunged into violence after the December 27, 2007 general elections in which then opposition chief Raila Odinga -- now prime minister -- accused President Mwai Kibaki of having rigged his re-election. What began as political riots soon turned into ethnic killings targeting members of Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe. They launched reprisal attacks in which homes were torched and people hacked to death in the country's worst violence since independence in 1963. Kibaki will not contest the next elections. Kenya is also eagerly awaiting a decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on whether it will proceed to trial against six prominent Kenyans suspected of organising the post-electoral violence. Two of the six -- Uhuru Kenyatta, finance minister and the son of the country's first president, and William Ruto, the former agriculture and higher education minister -- intend to run for president in the poll. "The court's (ICC's) ruling will introduce an additional -- possibly crucial -- factor into an already pivotal election," the think tank International Crisis Group said in a report this week. Charges against the six include murder, deportation, rape, inhumane acts, persecution and torture. Political campaigning has already begun in Kenya with colourful rallies across the country. Electoral rules have changed under the new constitution that provides for a devolved government, with Kenyans voting for governors and local assemblies for the first time.