Mt Kenya University to award Ruto's ICC lawyer Karim Khan doctorate degree

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan during a media briefing in Nairobi. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The Mt Kenya University will confer International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan with an honorary doctor of Law.

In a notice published in the dailies on Thursday, August 3, the university stated that Khan will be conferred for his contribution to the corridors of justice and service to humanity.

"Mount Kenya University has nominated Karim A. A Khan for the conferment of honorary Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) during the 23rd graduation ceremony on Friday, August 4, in recognition of his broad contribution to the rule of law and international justice," read the notice in part.

The university, detailing more reasons for the honor said Khan will be recognized for being a seasoned International Criminal Law and Human Rights lawyer, for his community outreach, and for his efforts in the fight against terrorism.

Lawyer Karim Khan, the fast-talking Queen's Counsel lawyer first hit headlines in Kenya when he represented President William Ruto at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2012.

Khan was one of the prosecutors who stood for Ruto and media personality Joshua Sang when they were charged with crimes against humanity in the 2007 post-election violence.

At the opening of Ruto's trial on September 9, 2013, Khan described the investigations into the Kenyan cases as "exceptionally deficient" and submissions by Fatou Bensouda as "vacuous".

Ruto was later acquitted of the charges in 2015.

In February 2021, Khan was elected as ICC Prosecutor at the nineteenth session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute in New York.

Previously, he was an Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and served as the first Special Adviser and Head of the United Nations Investigative Team to promote accountability for crimes committed by Da'esh/ISIL in Iraq between 2018 to 2021.

He is a barrister and Queen's counsel with over 25 years of experience as an international criminal law and human rights lawyer.

Khan holds a Bachelor of Law degree with Honours from King's College, University of London, among other degrees and qualifications.