The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed receiving a petition filed against National Super Alliance (NASA) leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.
The petition was filed by two Kenyans Kenneth Otieno and Martin Nkari, seeking the ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to launch investigations on the Opposition leaders over allegations of inciting Kenyans into violence.
Mark Dillon, Head of Information and Evidence Unit Office of The Prosecutor, affirmed that the case documents had been received.
"This communication has been duly entered in the Communications Register of the Office. We will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
"Please note this acknowledgment letter does not mean an investigation has been opened, nor that an investigation will be opened by the Office of the Prosecutor. As soon as a decision is reached, we will inform you, in writing, and provide you with reasons for this decision," Mr Dillion stated.
[caption caption="File image of ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda"]
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Some of the allegations listed in the petition include; ethnic violence, mobilization and profiling, rape, sexual and gender-based crimes, targeted aggression, violent utterances and constant call to violent demonstrations and call to arms.
Additionally, the petitioners noted that if the ICC did not act right away, the country could spiral into anarchy.
“If the prevailing volatile situation in Kenya does not get urgent attention and action from the ICC, we apprehend mass atrocities, ethnic profiling, violent ethnic mobilisation, mass displacement of persons, destruction of property, rape, sexual and gender-based crimes and complete breakdown in law and order in the period leading to the October 26 2017 election, during the election, and after the election,” the petitioner's letter read in part.
The petitioner also argued that domestic investigations against Mr Odinga and Musyoka could not take off because the two leaders command massive clout which could cause unnecessary delay.
The petition was, however, dismissed by a section of Opposition leaders who noted that their leaders had not committed any crime.
NASA co-principal Musalia Mudavadi on Saturday stated that they had not been made aware of the filing at ICC adding that all their activities in the past few weeks had been constitutional with their supporters being peaceful in demonstrations.
"Our supporters have carried themselves with decorum, it is the police that have killed by the bullet and maimed. Why kill unarmed people participating in a constitutional exercise,” Mudavadi was quoted by the Standard.
[caption caption="NASA Leaders"]
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Siaya Senator James Orengo, on his part, dared the two Kenyans to go ahead with the petition adding that NASA was not afraid.
“We have nothing to fear. Entry by ICC would mean Jubilee government is unable or unwilling. Let them try,” he stated.
