Kenyan Lobby Writes to ICC, Makes 5 Demands

A human rights group, Vocal Africa, has written to the International Criminal Court asking the body to closely monitor Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election. 

In the letter shared with Kenyans.co.ke, the group warned that political leaders and security officials could face individual criminal responsibility if they order, facilitate or contribute to crimes under the Court’s jurisdiction.

“Remind Kenya’s political leaders, public officials and security officers that individual criminal responsibility may arise where persons order, facilitate, encourage or contribute to crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court,” Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Kalid said in the letter.

“Issue an early warning to all political actors and state officials against incitement, mobilisation of violence and other conduct that may contribute to the commission of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court,” Khalid added.

The organisation’s letter relies on Article 15 of the Rome Statute, which permits the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to receive early warnings before a full crisis unfolds.

Thus, the group stresses that since the Gen Z protests of 2024 and 2025, armed goons have become a regular feature at protests, political meetings, and civic forums across the country.

VOCAL Africa also says that attacks on journalists have heightened, raising serious concerns, and flagging a sharp rise in inflammatory rhetoric from political leaders, who have been accused of stoking ethnic hostility by the National Commission for Integration Commission (NCIC).

Thus, the lobby has issued five ultimatums to the ICC, urging the Office of the ICC Prosecutor to note Kenya’s deteriorating political, security, and human rights situation, to retain the communication under Article 15, and to preserve and analyse information on possible crimes ahead of the 2027 elections.

The organisation also called on the office to focus on individuals and networks financing, directing, or protecting gangs that attack civilians, journalists, protesters, and political opponents, warning leaders and security officers that they bear individual responsibility for such crimes.

International organisations such as the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), and other diplomatic missions, should take the issue of Kenya with as much seriousness as possible before things spiral out of control.

“We urge the United Nations, African Union, diplomatic missions, international human rights organisations, and Kenya’s development partners to consider deploying long-term human rights and electoral monitors immediately. Waiting until the formal campaign period or the final weeks before the election may be too late,” VOCAL Africa stated.

The statement coincided with the joint presser by the United opposition and the Linda Mwananchi Movement, who echoed similar calls for ICC intervention ahead of next year’s election, urging the ICC prosecutor to monitor Kenya closely.

“Given the recurring pattern of organized political violence, the allegations of possible collusion by rogue state actors and the apparent failure to prevent repeated attacks against political leaders, journalists and civilians, we call upon the Office of the Prosecutor of ICC, to closely monitor developments in Kenya and to undertake a preliminary assessment of whether credible information exists, warranting examination under the Rome Statute,” stated the United Opposition.