Kenya’s opposition vows to take Ruto to ICC over extrajudicial killings, abductions
The leaders accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of unleashing rogue police units and forming Haiti-style militia gangs to suppress dissent.
Kenya’s opposition leaders have announced plans to file a case at the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing President William Ruto of crimes against humanity linked to a rising wave of extrajudicial killings and unlawful police crackdowns on unarmed civilians.
In a statement on Wednesday, leaders of the United Opposition, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, People Liberation Party Leader (PLP) Martha Karua, Wiper Democratic Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Former Public Service CS Justin Muturi, DAPK Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, Mukhisa Kituyi, and Saitoti Torome, accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of unleashing rogue police units and forming Haiti-style militia gangs to suppress dissent.
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“We have been collecting evidence, and our teams are currently compiling the same to hand over to the ICC Prosecutor. Mr Ruto must answer for his crimes against humanity,” read the joint statement.
The coalition condemned what it termed as “brazen shooting of unarmed citizens” during Tuesday’s peaceful protests in the Nairobi central business district, describing the incident as part of a broader campaign of state-sponsored brutality.
'Death squad in uniform'
The leaders said the National Police Service has turned into a “death squad in uniform,” executing civilians at the command of a “paranoid and repressive regime.”
“We are also alarmed at the emergence of a dangerous and illegal alliance between the police and the Haiti-modelled militia gangs who we saw terrorising unarmed protestors, business operators and civilians regardless of age and gender,” they said.
They argued that the Kenya-led Haiti Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission was never intended as a peacekeeping initiative but rather a “benchmarking trip by Ruto on the use of militia to terrorise a nation on taxpayers’ money.”
Masked officers
The leaders posed a series of questions to the government, demanding clarity on why officers concealed their identities, used live bullets on unarmed civilians, and engaged in looting during the protests.
“Why wear a mask and hide your badge number if you are following your constitutional mandate to protect and serve all? Why did the police needlessly use live bullets on unarmed citizens while escorting Haiti-like militia gangs terrorising Kenyans?” the opposition asked.
They questioned the similarity between the firearms used by Kenyan police and those allegedly supplied by the Kenyan government to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as well as alleged perjury by police commanders during parliamentary investigations into the killing of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang.
“It is clear the Ruto regime has waged war against fundamental human rights with calculated vengeance. He has deployed killer rogue police squads whose tactics are similar to the Haitian militia,” the leaders said.
“These death squads are using special firearms that Ruto has also illegally supplied to Sudan’s RSF militia. These acts have resulted in countless deaths both in Kenya and Sudan.”
Violated the Constitution
The opposition argued that Ruto’s administration has consistently violated the Constitution of Kenya and international laws, including the Rome Statute, which Kenya has ratified.
They expressed deep scepticism over any accountability emerging from local institutions, asserting that only international intervention could address the human rights violations they allege.
“To the Kenyan people: do not be afraid and intimidated. Ruto’s terror tactics are meant to silence, divide, and demoralise us. But history has taught us that no regime can sustain itself on bullets and lies,” the leaders urged.
“The will of the people shall prevail, and the courage of Albert Ojwang and countless others will not be in vain. We stand united, resolute, and unafraid.”
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