Raila Calls Out 'Silent' Envoys Over Alleged Police Brutality

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has accused the international community of ignoring the government's violent treatment of opposition supporters. 

The former Prime Minister was speaking on Friday during the interdenominational prayer service for people who died during anti-government protests in July. The service occurred in the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga park in Bondo town and was attended by prominent Azimio figures including Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, Wycliffe Oparanya, and George Wajackoyah. Raila expressed disappointment that the diplomatic community has not spoken up despite some victims of police brutality being as young as 14 years old.

In a statement issued on July 18, Western diplomats highlighted that the current regime in Kenya is violating the rights of its citizens. They called for urgent intervention to prevent further destruction of property and excessive use of force by the police in controlling crowds. The joint statement from the missions of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the UK raised concern over the high levels of violence, including the use of live bullets during protests. They urged all parties to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully and build the nation together. 

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has called for international support on the issue. However, the government has denied responsibility for the alleged extrajudicial killings during the protests and has instead placed blame on civilian arms holders for supplying guns to the protesters. On July 25, Kindiki expressed disputed the protest held between July 19 and 21, regretting that the demos resulted in the deaths of both civilian and police officers and extensive damage to private and public property. In addition, the CS absolved the police from the extrajudicial killings.

Azimio has since taken the matter to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, alleging police brutality against protesters. The court's prosecutor's office confirmed receipt of the case but has not issued a comment due to the need to protect the confidentiality of the information as detailed under Article 15 of the Rome Statute.