Karim Khan, Deputy President William Ruto’s lead counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has become a household name in Kenya, especially after the termination of the Kenyan cases at the Hague-based court.
However, not much is known about Lawyer Khan despite unhooking Ruto and Ambassodor Francis Muthaura from the ICC grip earning a good impression among Kenyans..
Here is what you might not know about British Lawyer Karim Ahmad Khan as he revealed in an interview with Citizen TV.
1. Khan is not only a Lawyer but also a publisher and lecturer in several universities which include; King’s College London, the University of London, Sandhurst Military Academy among others.
2. He is regarded as one if not the only lawyer who has prosecuted, defended, advised or acted for victims in all existing International Courts and Tribunals including Rwanda, Sierra-leone, Lebanon and Cambodia among others.
3. His greatest mentor is a man who adopted him as his grandson, Sir Mohamed Safura Khan. Sir Mohamed was the first Foreign Affairs Minister of Pakistani, he previously served as the President of the United Nations General Assembly, and was First Asian President of the International Court of Justice in the Hague.
Khan followed in the footsteps of his grandfather whom he says had a profound effect in his life.
4. During his younger years, Khan wanted to be a Doctor.
5. His greatest fear in life is failure or what he terms as disappointing himself.
6. Apart from law, he also enjoys shooting, a skill he obtained while he was a teenager. Khan acquired a firearm's licence while he was 16-years old.
7. He is a father of three sons who are based in England. Khan, however, admits not seeing his children much as he should owing to distance challenges.
8. The specialist in International Criminal Law has three siblings and is born of Pakistani and British Parents. His father was a consultant dermatologist.
9. Among the many achievements in his profession, he will be remembered for successfully defending Darfur Rebel leader Idris Abu Garda, whose case at the ICC was dropped before confirmation of charges, and also battling for Ambassador Francis Muthaura and DP Ruto, whose cases have since been terminated.
