Nairobi: The civil societies in Kenya have called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the atrocities committed against the citizens of Tanzania following last month’s disputed presidential election. Led by Kenya Human Rights Commission Executive Director Denis Malombe, the civil societies expressed reservation over the national reconciliation mechanism set by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, terming it a cover-up for atrocities committed against the citizens.
According to Kenya News Agency, Malombe, speaking in Bondo where they visited the grave of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, stated that the proposed mechanism lacks the capacity to investigate atrocities committed by a sitting Head of State and therefore urged ICC intervention for accountability. ‘We are calling for truth justice and accountability and as actors we have refused these mechanisms she is proposing which are part of a whitewash and cover-up,’ said Malombe.
Malombe, accompanied by counterparts from Transparency International Kenya and The Institute for Social Accountability, emphasized that Kenyans were not involved in the protests that erupted in Tanzania. He noted that the protesters were Tanzanian citizens who are weary of dictatorship and poor governance. Malombe praised the protestors for their courage in opposing autocracy and poor governance in the region.
Diana Gishengo, Executive Director of TISA, disclosed that the Kenyan civil society has reached out to the Africa Human Rights Mechanism to voice concerns over the atrocities against Tanzanian citizens. Sheila Malombe, Executive Director of Transparency International Kenya, assured that the civil society would continue upholding Raila Odinga’s legacy for a third liberation both domestically and across the East African region.
The civil society groups from various counties, including Nairobi, Vihiga, Kisumu, and Siaya, were joined by former anti-corruption czar John Githongo. He paid tribute to Raila Odinga, describing him as a champion of democracy, human rights, and social justice, and a central figure in Kenyan politics whose legacy will endure.
