Lawyer Adrian Kamotho, who previously represented President William Ruto during the August 2022 Presidential Election Petition, has made a plea to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga in connection with the ongoing anti-government protests in Kenya.
Kamotho, representing Victims of Maandamano Insurgents (VMI), claimed that his clients have been victims of crimes committed by protesters during the demonstrations.
In a letter addressed to ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, he alleged that the anti-government protests were marked by violence, vandalism, looting, and destruction of property.
The letter urged the ICC to take decisive action, in accordance with Article 15 of the Rome Statute, to address the grave humanitarian atrocities and war crimes allegedly perpetrated by Raila Odinga, a former prime minister, and accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of engaging in extremist political activities.
According to Kamotho, the alleged ill motives concealed by the Handshake brothers, a reference to Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta, were aimed at destabilizing the Republic of Kenya after losing the August 2022 Presidential Election to President William Ruto.
He claimed that after a period of peace following the transition of power, Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta began a campaign of hate, disinformation, propaganda, incitement, and violence against the lawfully established government.
“Upon conclusion of the transition, Kenya enjoyed a remarkable period of boisterous peace and tranquillity. However, in subsequent days, our clients avow that Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga of the Azimio Coalition, in partnership with Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, the chairman of the said Coalition, commenced a scathing campaign of hate, disinformation, propaganda, incitement and violence against the lawfully established Government of the Republic of Kenya.
“Astounding to our client, is the callous manner in which Odinga and Kenyatta continue to sponsor a wave of terror and deadly violence codenamed Maandamano against innocent citizens and law enforcement agencies,” the letter read in parts.
Kamotho requested the ICC to closely monitor the situation in Kenya and be prepared to intervene if necessary.
The letter comes in the wake of another lobby group, Operation Linda Ugatuzi, reporting President William Ruto, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, and Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to the ICC.
Linda Ugatuzi accused the trio of crimes against humanity, including destruction of property and causing death to innocent civilians.
