Gachagua Dismisses Azimio’s ICC Letter, Vows to Protect Inspector General of Police

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition’s move to invite the International Criminal Court (ICC) to probe police brutality during its protests.

In a letter to the Office of the ICC Prosecutor, the Raila Odinga-led coalition asked The Hague-based court to particularly investigate Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome, whom they accuse of committing eight serious crimes.

Through lawyer Paul Mwangi, Azimio claimed Koome established a special squad of rogue police officers to unleash terror on its supporters during the demos.

"The squads are reported to be dressed in plain clothes, to operate outside the normal command structure and to take direction directly from select commanders appointed for that purpose by
Japheth Koome," reads the letter.

On Saturday, Deputy President Gachagua termed the letter an attempt by the opposition to intimidate Koome, assuring him of the government’s support in doing his job.

“They are trying to intimidate our Inspector-General of Police but I assure the IG ... you continue doing your work, you are a very professional IG doing your work professionally. The government of President William Ruto will protect you fully. You should not be harassed by anybody,” Gachagua said in Nyandarua.

The deputy president commended Koome for protecting lives and property during the opposition-led demonstrations.

“Had they not come to the streets, there would have been no issues between the police and protestors. Let them keep their people at home. If they come to the streets again, do what you did. Protect lives and property according to the law,” he added.

 “In fact, the people who should be taken to the ICC are the Azimio characters who went to the streets and destroyed people’s property.”