The International Criminal Court has charged four Kenyans, including two serious presidential contenders, with crimes against humanity for their alleged involvement in ethnic violence after a disputed presidential election in 2007.
The charges raised the political stakes ahead of Kenya's next presidential vote, scheduled for later this year or early 2013, but they also offered hope among citizens for an end to impunity for a corrupt political elite.
Despite concerns that the announcement might spark renewed violence, Kenyans gathered around televisions and radios with few incidents amid a heavy security presence.
That was a far cry from late 2007 and early 2008, when Kenya erupted in chaos after disputed presidential election results gave a narrow victory to incumbent Mwai Kibaki over challenger Raila Odinga.
Roaming bands of youths slaughtered members of rival tribes and torched homes in violence that many Kenyans and international experts say was orchestrated by leading political figures and tribal power brokers. More than 1000 Kenyans died and 500,000 fled their homes.
This time, many Kenyans say, they've learned not to fight for self-serving politicians.
"Let those four go and answer charges in The Hague," said Dominic Wambua, a marketing professional in Nairobi, the capital, referring to the city in the Netherlands where the court is based.
"It's a moment of truth. Let the truth be told who organised and killed Kenyans."
Of the four suspects, the biggest name is Uhuru Kenyatta, the country's deputy prime minister and finance minister. According to Forbes, Kenyatta is the nation's wealthiest man, due largely to land he inherited from his father, Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya's first president.
The other three suspects are William Ruto, a leading politician from central Kenya; Francis Muthaura, the head of Kenya's civil service and a top aide to Kibaki; and Joshua Sang, a radio presenter.
All four said in statements on Monday that they were innocent.
With a year remaining before presidential polls, the ruling jolted Kenya's political scene. Kenyatta is Odinga's main rival for the presidency, and Ruto also has launched a campaign for the post. Kibaki isn't eligible to run again after serving two terms.
