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TRIAL: Kenyan presidential hopeful and finance minister, Uhuru Kenyatta, to faces charges over crimes against humanity

TOP KENYAN politicians are to stand trial over crimes against humanity following post-election violence in 2007, the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled yesterday.

Finance minister and presidential hopeful, Uhuru Kenyatta, and three other prominent Kenyan politicians will face charges.

"It is our utmost desire that the decisions issued by this chamber today bring peace to the people of the Republic of Kenya and prevent any sort of hostilities," ICC presiding judge Ekaterina Trendafilova said yesterday.

Kenyatta - son of Kenya's founding President Jomo Kenyatta - is accused of crimes against humanity, including murder and persecution. He is to face trial with cabinet secretary Francis Mutaura.

Kenyatta wrote on his Facebook page: "My conscience is clear, has been clear and will always remain clear that I am innocent of all the accusations that have been levelled against me."

More than 1,200 people are said to have been killed in weeks of unrest in 2007-8 following presidential elections, which saw clashes between supporters of the two rival presidential candidates - Raila Odinga and incumbent president Mwai Kibaki.

Over 600,000 people were reportedly forced to flee their homes, many still believed to remain homeless.

All four men deny the accusations and no date has been set for the trials.