Gachagua Seeks ICC Action on Ruto

In an escalating political standoff, Kenya’s former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has levied serious accusations against President William Ruto, alleging systematic deceit and culpability in human rights violations, including deaths and disappearances linked to recent anti-government protests.

Speaking from Seattle, Washington, in his two-month tour of the United States, Gachagua appealed to Kenyans in the diaspora to participate in a “liberation” campaign aiming to remove Ruto from power and hold him accountable. Gachagua revealed that a specialised team is compiling evidence of alleged state-sponsored atrocities, with the intention of submitting a new case to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. He referenced the unresolved case from Kenya’s 2007 post-election violence, which implicated Ruto, alleging witness intimidation previously stalled proceedings. 

“We have a team that is putting evidence together to take William Ruto to the ICC,” Gachagua said, adding that the new case would document killings, abductions, and displacements related to recent protests.

The controversy occurred as Kenya marked the 35th anniversary of the Saba Saba demonstrations earlier this month, with renewed calls for civic mobilisation. Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister, proposed a ‘national conclave’ to address Kenya’s socio-political issues, including economic inequality and human rights abuses. Gachagua publicly dismissed Raila's proposal, accusing him of hypocrisy. 

“Raila is totally irrelevant in the Kenyan political discourse,” he argued. “Every election cycle, he loses, he finds his way into government… he wants to be in government but does not want responsibility.”

Speaking on Saturday, 12 July, Gachagua labelled Ruto a “pathological liar” and deemed dialogue untenable. “It is not possible to have dialogue with Ruto because the guy is a pathological liar. We are having doubts whether his real name is William Ruto,” Gachagua said, before asserting that both he and senior opposition figure Martha Karua would not participate in any mediated talks with the President.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reports more than 30 fatalities from clashes between police and protesters, with allegations that security forces collaborated with armed gangs. These incidents have intensified calls for accountability and contributed to a climate of fear among Kenyans.

“We have no other recourse to save our country other than sending Ruto home,” Gachagua stated in Seattle. “You cannot be silent; you must play a role in the liberation of our country.”

Gachagua’s tour, intended to galvanise support for his Wantam movement, is seen as a prelude to the 2027 General Election.