Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan has put the perpetrators of the election violence which was sparked by the disputed presidential election on notice, warning those named in the report to be prepared to face consequences.

Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan (1st R), head of an African Union-backed mediation team for Kenya’s political crisis after the disputed general elections late last year, receives a report from Justice Philip Waki (2nd L), chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into Post-Election Violence, at a hotel in Kenyan capital Nairobi Oct. 17, 2008. The report recommends that those behind the riots, which left at least 1,000 people dead and 350,000 others displaced, face a special international tribunal set to be named within 60 days. (Xinhua/Tom Nyamoki)

The former UN chief also received a secret envelope containing the names of top politicians, government officials and influential businessmen implicated in organizing the mayhem following disputed polls in 2007.

“I know there will be temptations to speculate about who is on the list and who is not. It is not going to get you anywhere. So try and avoid that kind of speculation until the prosecutor or the judge opens it and does his or her work,” he said.

“I think this is the beginning of a new Kenya where the message must go out that impunity will no longer be allowed to stand and people who get into these activities; who commit criminal activities and commit gross and systematic abuse of human rights, will be held into account,” he warned.

Prominent politicians and businessmen named in the secret Waki list could be detained once they are charged by the proposed special tribunal. They will only get out of custody if they are acquitted by the tribunal.

Lawyers said setting up the tribunal would require an amendment to the Constitution, which calls for 145 MPs from the current 222.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) chairman Okong’o Omogeni said the decision by the Waki Co

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