Azimio leaders concerned with ICC prosecutor Karim Khan’s visit to Kenya

Leaders allied to the Azimio la Umoja Coalition have raised concerns on the presence of International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan in the country.

Khan, who represented President William Ruto in the post-election violence case at The Hague, was in the country to receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Mount Kenya University (MKU).

The prosecutor was feted for his immense contribution to the promotion of justice and humanity.

Now, Azimio leaders have said that Khan’s visit to Kenya could compromise investigations on police brutality in the country.

“ICC prosecutor Karim Khan’s hosting in Kenya this weekend by Mount Kenya Uni & it’s founder a friend of his former client William Ruto at a time both the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza regime have written to ICC on the situation in the country, especially the killing spree of unarmed protestors by police is not only suspect but also a blot on the credibility of ICC,” Azimio principal Martha Karua wrote in a tweet on Sunday morning.

Addressing the same during a church service in Mwiki, DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa said the coalition’s lawyers are compiling evidence on police brutality, to support a case they intend to file at The Hague.

“We are raising a red flag over the presence of ICC prosecutor Karim Khan in Kenya,” Wamalwa said.

Speaking to TV47 on Friday, Khan declined to comment Kenya’s matters at ICC, saying he is recused from it.

On his work as a prosecutor, Khan said he always takes the side of justice. 

"I always try to act on the side of justice. The main principle is whether you a prosecutor or a judge, or defence counsel, act with integrity, courage and the realisation that you are a servant of something much bigger than yourself,” the prosecutor said.

In July, Azimio asked ICC to intervene on cases of alleged police brutality during anti-government protests.

“We are asking the ICC to take a keener interest in Kenyan issues and formally ask the Director of Public Prosecution to carry out independent and speedy investigations on perpetrators,” the Coalition said.