ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan Recuses Himself From Kenyan Cases Amidst Azimio Onslaught

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Karim Khan has removed himself from all cases involving Kenya to avoid any conflict of interest. 

This comes as a result of a conflict between President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza and opposition chief Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition. Mr. Khan's visit to Kenya last week was called into question by Mr. Odinga's camp who worried that it could interfere with their case at the Hague-based court. However, the ICC's public information unit on Monday, August 7, clarified that Mr Khan was in Kenya in a private capacity to receive an honorary degree. 

“The Prosecutor was in Kenya in a private capacity to receive an honorary degree. Please note that pursuant to Article 42.7 of the Rome Statute, Mr Karim A.A. Khan KC in his capacity as the Prosecutor of the ICC has recused himself from all Kenya cases before the ICC,” read the communication. 

The court also confirmed that it received the opposition case and that Mr Khan's office has taken steps to protect against any perceived conflict of interest from his former representation of ICC suspect President William Ruto. Yesterday, Azimio decried Mr Khan's visit to Kenya, accusing him of impairing the court's credibility. Azimio's deputy principal Martha Karua termed Mr Khan's visit as a "suspect" and a "blot" on the ICC's reputation. 

Mr Khan, who is known in Kenya for defending President William Ruto against charges of crimes against humanity, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Mount Kenya University for his contributions to justice and humanity. He took over as ICC prosecutor in February 2021 after the stint of Gambian Fatou Bensouda elapsed.