Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has vowed to escalate controversies involving the killings of civilians under President William Ruto's administration to the International Criminal Court.
In a scathing statement signed by the self-styled opposition team comprising Kalonzo, Rigathi Gachagua, Eugene Wamalwa, Justin Muturi, and Martha Karua, the leaders condemned the killings of five civilians in Ang'ata Barikoi, Narok County.
According to the leaders, the deaths on Monday, April 28, were not isolated, with the cases of land-related killings reportedly on the rise. While describing the incident as a gross violation of human rights, the leaders asserted that the only way to end the pattern was through the ICC.
“This tragedy is not an isolated incident,” Kalonzo said. “It is part of a growing trend of state-sponsored violence and illegal land takeovers orchestrated by the Kenya Kwanza kleptocracy. These are crimes against humanity, and we are committed to taking the matter to the ICC," the joint statement read.
Further, the government was accused of using police and security forces to enforce illegal evictions across the country, with other incidents in Mavoko, Nairobi, and Ndabibi being cited in the joint statement.
The Monday unrest in Narok began after residents blocked a main road, citing historical ownership of the land. The residents were reportedly trying to block land officials from conducting a survey.
Things took a turn for the worse after a vehicle belonging to the land officials was vandalised, prompting police to intervene in large numbers.
Expectedly, the leaders also referenced the now-viral BBC documentary #BloodParliament, which allegedly exposes extrajudicial killings and abductions of peaceful protesters in June 2024. Kalonzo called for accountability, as he accused the government of trying to cover up killings during the anti-Finance Bill protests.
“We remind security forces that their allegiance lies with the people, not with a political regime,” the statement went on. “We demand accountability, not cover-ups.”
Notably, the statement came just hours after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua issued a lone response to the Narok chaos, pledging to unveil a list of the leaders behind the Monday clashes.
According to the former DP, the 6,000-acre piece of land at the centre of controversy rightfully belonged to Kenyans who, according to him, occupied it for several decades.
Gachagua noted that he was gathering evidence and information on the matter, and he would soon name and shame those responsible for the act.
