Lobby threatens to take Nasa to ICC over poll violence

From left: Members of the Council of Kenya Professionals Danson Mungatana, Prof Peter Kagwanja, Ababu Namwamba (chairman) and Senior counsel Katwa Kigen. Led by their chairman, the council has accused Nasa leaders of engaging in activities that could trigger violence. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • On Sunday, the CPK launched a campaign under the banner "Kura Yangu Haki Yangu" and vowed to fight for the right to vote for all citizens.

  • The former Budalang'i MP condemned Mr Odinga's election boycott call, terming it a selfish move.

  • According to Mr Namwamba, the council has already launched a case at the ICC against key Nasa leaders among them Mr Odinga, Senator James Orengo and Kalonzo Musyoka.

A group of the civil society members under the umbrella Council of Kenya Professionals (CPK) have threatened to take the National Super Alliance (Nasa) to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the event that they make statements that could lead to violence during or after the repeat presidential elections scheduled for Thursday.

In  a press briefing, CPK chairman Ababu Namwamba said they have dispatched a team of observers and researchers to monitor, record and document any acts of violence during the Thursday poll which they will use and give as evidence to the ICC.

“We have set up a command centre where we shall receive live updates of what will be going on across the country, those who want to boycott the elections can do so but they should not interfere with the rights of other Kenyans,” said Mr Namwamba.

On Sunday, the CPK launched a campaign under the banner "Kura Yangu Haki Yangu" and vowed to fight for the right to vote for all citizens.

BOYCOTT

They said even a zero vote return documentation by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is accepted in the constitution.

The former Budalang'i MP condemned Mr Odinga's election boycott call, terming it a selfish move.

“It was Nasa that went to Supreme Court, occasioning the repeat of the presidential elections. Calling for the boycott is in contempt of the Supreme Court ruling, disrespect for the rule of law and the Constitution,” he said.

He also termed the continued calls for reforms at the IEBC by Nasa leaders as a threat to the independence of the institution.

According to Mr Namwamba, the council has already launched a case at the ICC against key Nasa leaders among them Mr Odinga, Senator James Orengo and Kalonzo Musyoka.

PETITION

The council is accusing the leaders of sponsoring and promoting activities that are likely to trigger violence, crimes against humanity and genocide.

He said the council has also resolved to petition the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, the United Nation’s Security Council and the Office of the Rapporteur on Genocide to collect evidence, prosecute and hold to account those responsible for violence.

Former legislator Danson Mungatana said nobody was above the law asked Nasa not to interfere with elections.

“We will not sit and watch our country go down, those who will not wish to vote should stay away from polling stations, “he said.

Senior counsel Katwa Kigen asked the opposition to stop issuing threats to IEBC saying that interfering with elections was a crime.