Kalonzo Threatens to Build a Strong Abduction Case To Take Ruto To the ICC

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has vowed to push for President William Ruto’s prosecution at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Kalonzo accuses Ruto’s administration of orchestrating state-sponsored abductions and extrajudicial killings targeting young Kenyans who exercise their constitutional rights.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, February 2, 2025, Kalonzo condemned Ruto’s policies, calling them disastrous and oppressive. “Zakayo’s anti-people policies have been a disaster. Ruto has presided over a regime that sanctions State-sponsored killings and abductions of young Kenyans. We will take him to The Hague/ICC to answer for his crimes against humanity. Wakenya wameungana na wamesema Ruto aende nyumbani (Kenyans have united and said Ruto must go),” Kalonzo declared.

Abduction Survivors Call for ICC Intervention

On the same day, victims of enforced disappearances, who had recently been released, issued a series of demands through the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC). They alleged that government agencies had been intimidating them into silence and suppressing their right to speak out about their ordeals.

KHRC directly accused the government of suppressing abduction victims and enabling a culture of impunity. “Victims and survivors of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings have come forward to expose how the state has been tracking and intimidating them following their participation in protests against the government,” the commission stated.

Accompanying their statement were testimonies from several abduction survivors detailing their experiences since being taken in August 2024. The KHRC also listed specific demands, including:

1. A full investigation into the cases of victims and survivors, such as Bob Njagi, Jamil Longton, Aslam Longton, Justus Mulwa, Martin Mwau, Steve Mbisi, and Kalami Mwema.

2. Holding Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin personally accountable for crimes committed under their watch.

3. Urging the ICC to intervene, as human rights violations in Kenya have reached an international scale.

4. Calling for Kenya to ratify and implement the International Covenant for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

Surge in Abductions and Government Criticism

Since the anti-government protests in June and July 2024, cases of abductions and killings have increased, particularly affecting government critics. Among the latest victims were Justus Mutumwa and Martin Mwau, whose bodies were discovered at Nairobi’s City Mortuary after they were reported missing in December 2024. They were part of the “Mlolongo Four” group, a high-profile case of abductions that shocked the nation.

Even within Ruto’s government, concerns have been raised. Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi openly criticized the administration after his son, Leslie Muturi, was abducted on June 22, 2024, at the height of the Gen Z demonstrations. Leslie was released a day later, but his case further fueled accusations that state agencies were involved in abductions.

With mounting pressure from political figures, human rights groups, and affected families, the demand for accountability has intensified. Whether the ICC will take up the case remains to be seen, but Kalonzo and other critics are determined to ensure justice is served.