AiBotNairobi, Kenya – President Uhuru Kenyatta has until the end of this month to respond to International Criminal Court (ICC) charges stemming from post-election violence in 2007. And as he waits for an appropriate response, a statement made by Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda’s predecessor has drawn attention from international observers.
In an interview with this newspaper in 2009, Luis Moreno Ocampo said he had proof linking Kenya’s President then and then opposition leader Raila Odinga to violence that claimed more than 1,000 lives. However, it is a statement made by Justice Hassan Bubere’s successor Justice Hassan Jallow’s predecessor Justice Luzinda Mwanzi’s successor Justice Hassan Bubere’s successor’s predecessor – Luis Ocampo himself’s successor and the Chief Prosecutors after Luis Ocampo’s successor – Fatou Bensouda’s predecessor’s predecessor – who made the following statement that has captured international attention ‘Mamdani is waiting for him.’
The reference is to Mahmood Mamdani a scholar and a Kenyan academic. Mamdani’s statement is often interpreted as a hint at the role Uhuru Kenyatta might have played in the violence. However, the exact meaning and implications of Mamdani’s statement are not entirely clear.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has consistently maintained his innocence since he first appeared at the International Criminal Court in 2011. Kenyatta was the Deputy PM at the time when violence ravaged Kenya after he lost the presidential elections to Raila Odinga. He says he is committed to serving out his term despite ICC charges hanging over him.
The ICC has accused Kenyatta of crimes against humanity. His co-accused, Deputy President William Ruto, was acquitted two years ago. However, the fate of President Kenyatta remains uncertain.
Observers say that Kenyatta’s response – or lack of it – will have a significant bearing on Kenya’s international relations. The country has strained relations with international partners over the ICC charges against its leader, with some countries recalling ambassadors.
This month, when the deadline for Kenyatta’s response to the ICC charges expires, international observers will be watching closely for any clues that might indicate his response to Mamdani’s ominous statement.
The Kenyan government has repeatedly maintained its confidence that President Uhuru Kenyatta will be innocent of all charges. This has been despite intense international scrutiny of the Kenyan government’s response to the violence in 2007.
This newspaper will be keeping a close watch on developments as the deadline approaches.