The Kenyan opposition coalition wrote to the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) requesting that he launch an inquiry into the police chief whom it claims ordered violence on its supporters during anti-government protests.
Following President William Ruto’s request at the beginning of this month, opposition leader Raila Odinga decided to halt anti-government demonstrations in favor of discussion.
Three marches, which lasted two weeks last month, attracted thousands of participants. All of the protests were marked by violence, which was partly caused by claims of fraud in the presidential election last August.
The alliance, known as Azimio, claimed to have written to the ICC to request an investigation into the actions of Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome. By prohibiting the protests and frightening their supporters with death and physical assault, it charged him with violating the constitution.
When contacted by phone and left voicemails asking for comment on the opposition’s demand for an investigation, Koome did not immediately answer, When contacted for comment over the opposition’s letter to the ICC, Resila Onyango, the police spokesperson, did not do so right away.