Prepare for trial at ICC over demo killings, Raila tells Gachagua

Azimio leader Raila Odinga arrives at Kamukunji grounds for a rally on April 16, 2023. [Denis Kibuchi, Standard] Opposition leader Raila Odinga has warned Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Inspector General Japheth Koome that they stand to face trial over killings during Azimio demonstrations. Raila claimed that Gachagua bears the greatest responsibility for his conduct during peaceful demonstrations and warned that the International Criminal Court (ICC) could come for him after they sent a letter to the court listing atrocities committed against protesters. The former Prime Minister who was addressing a rally at Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi on Sunday said Azimio engaged in peaceful demonstrations, which are guaranteed in the Constitution, and the police should be held responsible for using excessive force against protesters. "Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and National Police Service Inspector General Japheth Koome should be aware that the International Criminal Court awaits them over their conduct during our peaceful demonstrations, they should not think they will walk away scot free," he said. Raila gave President William Ruto 30 days ultimatum to address the issues raised by Azimio or they will resort to demonstrations since Kenya Kwanza had not shown seriousness in engaging in bipartisan talks. He noted that lowering of cost of living is the number one priority in their talks with Kenya Kwanza besides the opening of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) server. The opposition leader claimed that some people have been brought in to clean the IEBC server before it is opened to justify that Ruto won the presidential election. He warned that they have records to show that he won and Kenya Kwanza was engaging in an exercise in futility. "We are demanding that election result at the county level be final so as to end cases of stolen elections at the national level in future since there would be no reason for Kenyans to participate in elections whose results will be doctored to deny them a leader of their choice," he said. Raila said that respect for multi-partism should be upheld and those dissatisfied with their parties should resign and seek fresh mandate from the electorate. He rejected Kenya Kwanza's decision to select Jubilee's Eldas MP Adan Keynan to the bipartisan team, saying it was in bad faith and threatened that Azimio would not participate in the talks if he is not removed. Jubilee is an affiliate party of Azimio. Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua noted that the government collects Sh175 billion monthly in taxes and Kenya Kwanza leadership should not claim they found empty coffers but must instead explain how they have spent Sh1.5 trillion collected in the past eight months. She accused the government of misplaced priorities citing purchase of expensive vehicles for senior government officials instead of addressing problems facing mwananchi. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said they stood for the rule of law and integrity and they will fight for the rights of Kenyans to the bitter end. Kalonzo said Azimio will not be intimidated by Kenya Kwanza administration to drop its demands. He said an attempt on Raila's life during the peaceful demonstrations was one of the barbarities committed and that they are collecting evidence for presentation to the International Criminal Court.

Prepare for trial at ICC over demo killings, Raila tells Gachagua

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Prepare for trial at ICC over demo killings, Raila tells Gachagua

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