Kenyan Opposition Seeks ICC Action Over Narok Killings, Escalating Land Crisis
The unrest in Narok erupted when residents blocked a major road to protest a land survey they claimed threatened their historical ownership of a 6,000-acre parcel.
Kenyan opposition leaders, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, plan to escalate the killing of five civilians in Narok to the ICC, accusing the government of systemic violence. Photo/Kenyans.co.ke
By Robert Assad
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, alongside a coalition of opposition figures including Rigathi Gachagua, Eugene Wamalwa, Justin Muturi, and Martha Karua, has announced plans to take the Kenyan government to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the killing of five civilians in Ang’ata Barikoi, Narok County, on April 28.
The deaths, linked to a land dispute, have ignited a firestorm of criticism against President William Ruto’s administration, with the opposition labeling the incident a symptom of systemic state-sponsored violence.
The unrest in Narok erupted when residents blocked a major road to protest a land survey they claimed threatened their historical ownership of a 6,000-acre parcel.
The opposition’s joint statement described the killings as part of a broader pattern of illegal evictions and land grabs, accusing the government of deploying police and security forces to enforce these actions.
Similar incidents were cited in Mavoko, Nairobi, and Ndabibi, pointing to what the leaders called a “Kenya Kwanza kleptocracy” orchestrating crimes against humanity.
“This is not just about Narok,” Kalonzo declared. “It’s about a regime that uses violence to silence Kenyans and steal their land. We will not rest until justice is served at the ICC.”
The statement also referenced the controversial #BloodParliament BBC documentary, which alleges extrajudicial killings during the June 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, further fueling demands for accountability.
Former Deputy President Gachagua, in a separate response, vowed to expose the masterminds behind the Narok clashes. Claiming the disputed land rightfully belongs to long-term Kenyan occupants, he said he was compiling evidence to “name and shame” those responsible.
His remarks have added a layer of intrigue, hinting at potential political rifts within the ruling elite.
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