News

Ruto to go back to ICC after 50,000 Kenyans file complaints

President William Ruto might have to go back to the International Criminal Court (ICC) because of cases of kidnappings and people going missing in Kenya.

Two groups, Kituo Cha Sheria and Mathare Social Justice Centre, have asked the Attorney General, Dorcas Oduor, to take these cases to the ICC.

These groups, represented by lawyer Dr. John Khaminwa, believe that these cases are serious crimes against humanity and need to be looked into.

Over 50,000 people have lodged complaints at the Hague using electronic methods with proofs. The move prompted the international court to review cases as more investigations loom.

Dr. Khaminwa mentioned that there is clear evidence showing that people who criticise the current government have been unfairly taken and held in secret places by government officials.

He said these actions are meant to scare people and stop them from speaking out or protesting.

“This court has the power to ask the attorney general to send these serious crimes to the International Criminal Court, as allowed by Article 14 of the Rome Statute,” the groups’ representatives stated through Dr. Khaminwa.

He also pointed out that Article 7(1) of the Rome Statute considers enforced disappearance, used for political reasons, as a crime against humanity.

Moreover, he referred to Inspector General Douglas Kanja’s statements that Kenya’s police cannot stop these kidnappings or investigate them properly.

“It seems that the police cannot carry out investigations. This court has a responsibility to protect the people by sending the matter of people going missing to the ICC,” Dr. Khaminwa added.

He highlighted that families of the abducted people are suffering a lot because they have no information or help from national security agencies.

The petitioners also asked the court to treat this matter as urgent and deal with it quickly.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also asked the ICC to watch over the situation because of the rise of suspected organised criminal gangs.

Gachagua urged his allies to have lawyers write to the ICC to help prevent any deaths. He claimed that criminal gangs are forming in some areas of the country as the 2027 elections approach.

Related Posts

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *