Opposition leaders are now accusing President William Ruto’s administration of masterminding extrajudicial killings, deploying rogue police units, and forming illegal alliances with militia gangs, actions they say mirror Haiti-style death squads.
“We are also alarmed by the emergence of a dangerous and illegal alliance between the police and Haiti-modeled militia gangs, who were seen terrorizing unarmed protesters, business owners, and civilians regardless of age or gender,” read part of the statement.
In a statement Wednesday evening the opposition leaders says they are compiling evidence for submission to the International Criminal Court (ICC), seeking to have President Ruto held accountable for alleged crimes against humanity.
The statement said ”We have been collecting evidence and our teams are currently compiling the same to hand over the ICC Prosecutor. Mr Ruto must answer for his crimes against humanity.”
The leaders condemned what it termed as “brazen shooting of unarmed citizens” during Tuesday’s peaceful protests in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), blaming the National Police Service (NPS) for carrying out what it described as “rampant and senseless extrajudicial killings.”
They further allege that police officers are working in collaboration with militia groups, described as similar in nature to Haiti’s armed gangs, to violently suppress public protests.
“What is now clear is the Kenya-led Haiti Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission was not a peacekeeping mission, but a benchmarking trip by Ruto on the use of militia to terrorize a nation on taxpayers’ money,” read the statement signed by Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, Justin Muturi, Eugene Wamalwa, Mukhisa Kituyi and Saitoti Torome.
They raised a lot of questions regarding the conduct of law enforcement during the protests, including: the use of masks and lack of identifiable badge numbers by officers; use of live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators; as well as the alleged involvement of police officers in the looting of private property.
The opposition accused President Ruto’s government of systematically violating the Constitution of Kenya and international human rights laws, including the Rome Statute which established the ICC.
“It is clear the Ruto regime has waged war against fundamental human rights with calculated vengeance. He has deployed killer rogue police squads whose tactics are similar to the Haiti militia,” the statement added.
“These death squads are using special firearms that Ruto has also illegally supplied to Sudan’s RSF militia. These acts have resulted to countless deaths both in Kenya and Sudan.”
While expressing doubt that any form of accountability would come from within government institutions, the opposition disclosed that it has been collecting and compiling evidence to hand over to the ICC Prosecutor, seeking international intervention.
“To the Kenyan people: do not be afraid and intimidated,” the statement urged, calling on citizens to remain united in the face of what it described as a regime reliant on “bullets and lies.”
“The will of the people shall prevail, and the courage of Albert Ojwang and countless others will not be in vain. We stand united, resolute, and unafraid.”
The statement was signed by People’s Liberation Party Leader Martha Karua, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Former Attorney General Justin Muturi, Eugene Wamwalwa of DAP-K, Mukhisa Kituyi and Saitoti Torome
