ICC prosecutor Karim Khan withdraws from all Kenyan cases

This emerged on Monday following a row that kicked off over the weekend after Mr Khan made a visit to Kenya where he attended a graduation ceremony on Friday at Mount Kenya University.

The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) at the Hague-based court confirmed that Mr. Khan was in Kenya on a private visit, further revealing that he withdrew himself from Kenyan cases to prevent any conflict of interest that may arise following his previous assignments which include representing now President William Ruto at the Hague-based court.

"The Prosecutor was in Kenya in a private capacity to receive an honorary degree. Please note that pursuant to Article 42.7 of the Rome Statute, Mr Karim A.A. Khan KC in his capacity as the Prosecutor of the ICC has recused himself from all Kenya cases before the ICC," Khan's office told the Nation.

"(Mr Khan has) instituted practical measures to protect against any conflict of interest that may be perceived to arise from his former representation of ICC suspects or accused persons."

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

Azimio leaders claimed 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.

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.

Meanwhile, the Office of the ICC Prosecutor further confirmed receiving a petition by the Azimio coalition asking the ICC to intervene on cases of alleged police brutality during anti-government protests.