National Super Alliance (NASA) Presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka could be headed to the Hague after a petition was filed against them at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The petition was reportedly filed by two Kenyans Kenneth Otieno and Martin Nkari, the chairman and secretary of the International Policy Group (IPG) who want the ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to launch investigations on the Opposition leaders over allegations of inciting Kenyans into violence.
According to the Sunday Standard, some of the allegations listed in the petition include; ethnic violence, mobilisation and profiling, rape, sexual and gender-based crimes, targeted aggression, violent utterances and constant call to violent demonstrations and call to arms.
In the case, the petitioners noted that if the ICC does 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.[caption caption="File image of ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda"]
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The petitioner also argued that domestic investigation against Mr and Musyoka cannot take off allegedly 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 have 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="File image of NASA Leaders addressing the media"]
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Siaya Senator James Orengo on his part dared the petitioner 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.
