Kenya's parliament has voted in favor of calls for the country to withdraw from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, where there president and his deputy are set to be tried for crimes against humanity.
Thursday's vote followed tense debate which saw opposition lawmakers walk out in protest.
Parliamentary majority leader Aden Duale said leaving the ICC would "redeem the image of Kenya" and protect the country's citizens and sovereignty.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto are both accused of orchestrating violence after Kenya's 2007 elections. About 1,200 people were killed in the unrest.
Both men deny the accusations and have pledged to cooperate with the Hague-based tribunal. The proceedings against them will proceed, regardless of the Kenyan parliament vote.
Ruto's trial is scheduled to begin next week.
Tribunal prosecutors say relatives of witnesses have been approached with bribes and threats before the trials.
Thursday's vote followed tense debate which saw opposition lawmakers walk out in protest.
Parliamentary majority leader Aden Duale said leaving the ICC would "redeem the image of Kenya" and protect the country's citizens and sovereignty.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto are both accused of orchestrating violence after Kenya's 2007 elections. About 1,200 people were killed in the unrest.
Both men deny the accusations and have pledged to cooperate with the Hague-based tribunal. The proceedings against them will proceed, regardless of the Kenyan parliament vote.
Ruto's trial is scheduled to begin next week.
Tribunal prosecutors say relatives of witnesses have been approached with bribes and threats before the trials.