People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, former Chief Justice David Maraga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Siaya Governor James Orengo during a United Opposition press briefing on August 19, 2026. / HANDOUTThe opposition has called on the International Criminal Court Prosecutor’s Office to monitor recurring political violence in the country.
In a joint statement yesterday, opposition leaders urged the ICC Prosecutor to closely monitor developments in Kenya and undertake a preliminary assessment of whether credible information exists warranting a probe under the Rome Statute.
“Should evidence emerge demonstrating that widespread and systematic attacks against civilians are being organised, financed, directed or tolerated by those in positions of authority, we urge the prosecutor to exercise the powers under Article 15 of the Rome Statute to initiate an investigation, especially against the person bearing the greatest responsibility, President William Ruto, a former ICC indictee,” PLP leader Martha Karua, who read the joint statement, said.
The opposition also called for a review and determination of the status of the previous charges against Ruto following the 2007–08 post-election violence.
Article 15 of the Rome Statute empowers the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to initiate investigations proprio motu (on their own initiative) based on information on crimes within the court’s jurisdiction, rather than waiting for a state or UN Security Council referral.
Among the leaders at the press conference were Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i, presidential aspirant David Maraga and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
The leaders also urged the diplomatic community to join Kenyans, religious leaders, youth organisations and the legal fraternity and civil society in defending the constitution and resisting the normalisation of militia activity and goonism.
The opposition said there are signs of a disturbing return to political intimidation.
The opposition leaders pointed to attacks involving DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua in Nakuru, Matiang’i in Mulot and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna during an opposition rally in Homa Bay.
On Tuesday, Gachagua also urged the American, UK and German governments to intervene over the escalating violence.
The leaders warned the incidents risk setting the country on a dangerous political path less than a year before the next election.
The opposition said the protection of democracy could not be left to politicians and police officers alone, arguing that all Kenyans had a responsibility to reject political violence and defend citizens’ rights.
The leaders said attacks on police officers and civilians should not be tolerated, regardless of the political affiliation of those involved.
The warning comes amid heightened political mobilisation as parties and opposition.
The opposition leaders said the recent incidents should not be treated as isolated political confrontations.
They argued that accountability for violence was necessary to prevent a culture of impunity from taking root as political competition intensifies.
“Accountability is the strongest deterrent to a chaotic Kenya,” they said, warning that the passage of time should not be allowed to erase responsibility for attacks or deaths.
The leaders called for investigations into attacks and other incidents of political violence, saying those responsible should be held accountable regardless of their political connections.
They also warned against allowing political disagreements to translate into restrictions on citizens’ constitutional rights.
“No Kenyan should lose their life because of their liberty,” the opposition said.
They further insisted that no citizen should be denied the right to assemble, arguing that political parties and movements must be allowed to organise peacefully without intimidation.
