Azimio asks ICC to intervene over Police brutality

Azimio Leaders led by National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi addressing the media on July 20, 2023.[Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The Azimio coalition wants the International Criminal Court (ICC) to intervene and help settle the issues surrounding the Anti-Government protests.

Speaking during a press conference at Parliament Buildings on Thursday, July 20, the National Assembly's Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi urged the ICC to take a keen interest in Kenyan issues as police brutality during the protests is on the rise.

"We have noticed an unprecedented level of police brutality on innocent Kenyans. We want the international community to take serious note of these happenings," he told Journalists.

"We are asking the ICC to take a keener interest in Kenyan issues and formally ask the Director of Public Prosecution to carry out independent and speedy investigations on perpetrators."

His remarks come a day after six people in different parts of the country were shot dead by police officers during the first day of the three-day Anti-Government protests which are led by the coalition

It is for that reason that Azimio now wants the families of the six not to bury their kin without conducting a postmortem.

Additionally, Wandayi urged Kenyans to converge at Central Park Nairobi on Thursday at 3pm as they wrap up the second day of their three-day protests.

"The people have owned the movement. It is no longer about Raila Odinga. At three PM, Kenyans will converge at Central Park in Nairobi as we prepare since tomorrow we are back to demonstrate."

"We have our own strategy and we are implementing them very well and they are succeeding. We are extremely excited about the success of the maandamano so far."

When asked about Odinga's whereabouts, Wandayi assured his supporters that he is safe and that his Secretariat Daniel Onyango who was allegedly arrested by the police has been released.

Onyango was arrested on Wednesday, July 19 after police officers allegedly raided Odinga's house in Mbagathi Way where they ransacked it and later arrested him.

He was among the nine who were arrested ahead of the planned protests including Emabakasi East MP Babu Owino who is currently being held at the Nairobi Area Police Station.