United Opposition call on ICC to investigate President Ruto over goonism

In a statement read on behalf of the United Opposition, People's Liberation Party Leader Martha Karua highlighted recent attacks on Opposition politicians during rallies, calling on the government to explain how such chaos could occur under its watch. 

She noted that the ICC ought to review the status of previous charges levelled against President Ruto and assess whether to reopen the case. 

"We call on the ICC prosecutor to closely monitor developments in Kenya and assess whether credible information warrants an examination," she explained. 

"Should evidence emerge of widespread or systematic attacks against civilians being organized, financed, directed or tolerated by those in authority, we urge the prosecutor to investigate President Ruto, a former ICC inductee, and review the status of previous charges against him."

Karua also called upon the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to guarantee the right to transparent and credible elections that would uphold Kenyans' voice. 

The PLP leader urged the public to shun political violence in all its forms including the prevalence of goonism. 

"The protection of democracy cannot be left to citizens and political leaders alone; it is the responsibility of every Kenyan. We therefore call on all Kenyans to reject political violence in all its forms, regardless of who perpetrates it or who claims to benefit from it," she added. 

"No citizen should be denied the right to campaign, assemble or vote because armed militia have been unleashed upon them. The 2027 elections must be a contest of ideas, not intimidation; a contest of ballots, not bullets."

In 2013, the ICC charged President Ruto with three counts of crimes against humanity, including murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population and persecution, in connection with the 2007/08 post-election violence. 

Three years later, the Hague terminated the case, citing insufficient evidence and the lead prosecutor's allegation of widespread witness tampering. The ICC, however, said the case may reopen should further evidence come to light.