Opposition leader, Raila Odinga has threatened to take the police chiefs to ICC if the matter of police brutality continues. He claims the country is headed for genocide and political prosecution after the protests held last week.
Raila, while speaking to the International Media at a press conference in Nairobi on Tuesday, July 25, mentioned the opposition was collecting evidence to be presented at the International Court of Justice (ICC) in Hague.
The case would be against the ‘police-sanctioned atrocities’ in Kenya and they would appeal to the court to open a file on the matter.
“We are currently assembling more evidence which we will shortly present to the International Criminal Court with an appeal to the court to open a file on State-sanctioned police atrocities in Kenya,” warned Raila.
According to Raila, the protests have taken a direction of their own. It is no longer about the coalition leaders, but Kenyans fighting against the high cost of living and ‘punitive’ taxes.
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He accused the police of being partisan and ethnic-centred when dealing with protesters. He claimed the police had an ethnic agenda in parts of the country under the name of quelling protests. This consequently led to a large number of casualties recorded in Kisumu County.
Illegal Arrests
Furthermore, Raila took issue with the illegal arrest of Azimio leaders and supporters. While some stayed in detention for long before their presentation in court, others are under house surveillance and others are ‘threatened’ by the State.
“Ethnic divisions and tensions are building up. Especially after the regime declared that the country is a company of limited shares, pegged on how one voted. As things stand, I fear we are moving down a slippery path.
Raila further insisted there was no reason for the police to use excessive force. He mentioned how ant-riot police would get into people’s homes and shoot them or clobber some, as seen in Kisumu and Nairobi slums.
He faulted the Kenya Kwanza administration for verbal attacks against the former head of state and faulted the withdrawal of Uhuru’s mother, Mama Ngina’s security and the invasion of the Northlands farm owned by the Kenyatta family.
Raila later admitted the high cost of living was not only a Kenyan issue but involved a myriad of factors including debt repayment.
He however pointed out that the government could come up with better measures to ease the citizens’ suffering.
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