As international scrutiny increases, pressure mounts on Kenyan President William Ruto over the alleged police killings of young protesters during recent demonstrations. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, who recently visited Kenya, has urged the Kenyan government to arrest and prosecute the police officers responsible.
However, there is a growing demand for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate President Ruto himself for his alleged involvement in these events.
During the last two months, Kenya witnessed widespread demonstrations, which, according to reports, led to the deaths of many young people, often referred to as Gen Zs. These protests, sparked by rising discontent over economic hardships and perceived government injustices, were met with a brutal police crackdown. Despite the Kenyan Constitution’s clear protection of the right to demonstrate and picket, security forces were accused of using excessive force, leading to numerous fatalities and disappearances.
President Ruto, in response, labeled the protesting youths as “criminals,” a statement that has drawn significant backlash from both local and international communities. Many are now questioning whether the police acted on direct orders from the highest levels of government.
The calls for ICC involvement are not without precedent.
During the 2008 post-election violence, Ruto faced charges at The Hague for his alleged role in orchestrating violence that led to over 1,000 deaths.
Dr Isaac Newtone Knitty in a recent presser
Although he was eventually acquitted, there were widespread allegations that witnesses were intimidated or even killed to weaken the case against him.
Dr. Isaac Newton Kinity, a human rights activist, has expressed concern that history may repeat itself if the ICC opens a new case against Ruto.
He warns that the Kenyan president might once again attempt to eliminate witnesses, including the police officers involved, to destroy evidence. “This time, great care should be taken to prevent William Ruto from killing witnesses as he did during the ICC post-election violence case at The Hague,” Kinity stated.
Senator Murphy’s recent visit to Kenya underscores the growing international concern over the situation.
While he stopped short of calling for the ICC to investigate Ruto, his demand for the arrest and prosecution of the implicated police officers has been seen as a significant step.
Kinity and others believe that the United States, along with other powerful nations, should take an active role in ensuring that justice is served, not just for the officers involved but also for those at the highest levels of power.
The situation in Kenya remains tense as the country grapples with the aftermath of the violent crackdown.
With the 2027 elections on the horizon, there are growing fears that without international intervention, the cycle of violence and impunity could continue.
Dr. Kinity and other activists argue that Ruto’s involvement in the killings should disqualify him from running for re-election, asserting that his continued leadership poses a threat to democracy and justice in Kenya.
