Koome: Unfazed by Azimio’s ICC Letter
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome dismissed on Sunday the letter sent by the Azimio la Umoja coalition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) requesting an investigation into the police excesses witnessed during the anti-government demonstrations.
In a letter sent to the Hague-based court on Friday, Paul Mwangi, the legal representative for Azimio, requests that the ICC Prosecutor open a file on Koome for “his express orders to police to kill and maim opposition protestors,” as described by the coalition.
IG Koome stated to the media on Sunday at his private residence that he will not back down from administering his duty to Kenyans and that the letter will not intimidate him.
“I appreciate the letter. The letter will not intimidate me, and I wish to convey this sentiment to my officers. We swore to serve our nation, and we have no other country,” he said.
The police chief continued by asserting that the letter is mere “propaganda” pushed by a politician with personal interests.
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Moreover, he asserted that the letter is motivated by tribalism, arguing that the same thing happened to the former head of the Public Service Francis Muthaura, who was taken to the International Criminal Court on charges of inciting violence after the 2007 election.
“A certain politician is the instigator of that letter. Muthaura the first taken there, and now it is my turn. Why do they target Meru individuals? “Let’s end this tribal dispute,” said Koome.
DP Gachagua defended IG Koome Saturday, saying Azimio is trying to intimidate him.
“They are attempting to intimidate Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome. I want to assure the IG that he will continue his duties,” he said.
Azimio wrote to the ICC because Kenya signed and ratified the Rome Statute on August 11, 1999, and March 15, 2005.
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