Azimio Considers ICC Petition to Address Alleged Human Rights Violations
The Anti-Finance Bill protests in Kenya have resulted in escalating violence leading to fatalities and injuries.
What began as peaceful demonstrations against proposed tax increases in the Finance Bill 2024 has devolved into chaos with protesters storming government buildings including the Senate and National Assembly. Azimio La Umoja has taken a firm stance against the bill, arguing that the proposed taxes would impose an unbearable burden on ordinary Kenyans. They have called on Members of Parliament to reject the bill outright and have commended those who have withdrawn contentious amendments.
However, Azimio insists that the entire Finance Bill must be withdrawn before any further discussions can take place. Following the recent fatalities, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has threatened to take the issue to the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing atrocities against the citizens of Kenya. The opposition vows to meticulously document each case in a bid to seek justice on an international platform. Musyoka has also highlighted ongoing cases of abductions, particularly of students who have reportedly been terrorized and indoctrinated.
The party views these incidents as crucial evidence for their potential case at the ICC, aiming to hold those responsible accountable for the violence and loss of life during the protests. As demonstrations spread across various counties, concerns mount regarding the police's brutal handling of the situation. Protesters have breached key government infrastructure, and law enforcement has struggled to manage the demonstrations effectively. The apparent lack of a comprehensive strategy to address the protests has raised questions about the preparedness and efficacy of the police force.
Meanwhile, Rarieda MP and constitutional lawyer Otiende Amollo has introduced a new bill aimed at repealing the controversial tax legislation that President William Ruto had previously returned to Parliament. This proposed bill seeks to nullify each clause of the Finance Bill (2024) and, in the event it has already been enacted under Article 115 of the Constitution, revoke every section of the Finance Act (2024). The move comes after President Ruto rejected the Finance Bill, 2024, and sent it back to the National Assembly with recommendations for its deletion.
This decision was reportedly made in response to widespread concerns expressed by Kenyan citizens. Following this action, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula officially notified Members of Parliament about the President's memorandum and referred the matter to the Committee of Finance and National Planning. The committee, under the leadership of Molo MP Kimani Kuria, is now tasked with preparing a comprehensive report on the issue. This report is expected to be presented when the House reconvenes from its short recess on July 23. Subsequently, the House will have a 21-day period to deliberate on and consider the findings of the report.
“I believe that the route of repeal on the same day that the Finance Bill would become law pursuant to Article 115(6), lends itself to reason, logic and the constitution more than the alternatives proposed,’’ Otiende said.
Comments (14)
Our iron lady is wearing to dresses.
Yes there needs to be accountability. HOWEVER, why would we always take out problems to folks that don’t have out best interests at heart? AU needs a court to handle out out issues in Africa.
@ BFW, I used to share the same sentiments you have,then I realized,I would rather the voices of the dead,or suffering be heard by someone who can do something. Yes ICC has been accused of being biased,especially against African countries. But what should we do when AU,or the EAC can do nothing but talk,and spend hard earned money on luxurious conferences?
Comrades,
Bi$$he's have seen an opportunity to get in power.
Reject them.
Wewe @kora ni mjinga sana kabisa! Don’t be a Ruto’s carpetbagger after he has killed the youth indiscriminately. But as a kalenjin, your myopic view of the bad things you home boy Ruto have done is a normalcy among your bush tribesmen!
Comrade Sam,
My question is, where were they when demonstrations were happening?
It is politics of opportunitynism and that is what rolls the political Darcy’s ball around and especially when a sitting president opts into wanton killing of his own fellow citizens. Get used to it and the madness it brings along!
It’s quite obvious that the current administration of the UDA political party members have not read or respect the New Constitution: that is the source of the current instability in our beloved country.
The 2010 constitution is a scam.52m Kenyan SLAVES work to finance the luxury lives of less than 4000 elite gangsters with lowest paid being an MCA @shs 525000 minus allowances.Why 4000 thugs managing a REVERSING economy?
Illiterates from Mogotio do not know how to read a written constitution. Just ask them about bandits’ tendencies and they will spell that kind of life to you!
Just look at Oscar Sudi and Ruto and that gives you the whole mental scenerio of the kind of goons managing Ruto’s regime!
A man can easily be defined by the company he keeps around - bunch of clueless Worias and uncivilized kalenjins have destroy our beautiful country.
Busybodies!!! One minute the people’s conman is kissing Zakayo’s ass, and the next minute the people’s conman is encouraging chaos deaths and destruction on the streets!!! Quite a greedy hypocrite narcissist!!!
Accountability and responsibility must be the necessary order to run the government! It is about Time for Ruto to be returned to The Hague to account for his sins of killing Kenyans. He is unfit to lead and he must resign.
Opportunists at its best!...
How come the victims of Kiambaa Church Holocaust of 2007-8 in Eldoret still lack a monument that makes us remember what politicians are capable of doing!
It is important to build this monument so that a similar mistake is not repeated again.
How come the American government has already built a
Memorial Park Embassy bombing site, which was opened in 2001, and designed to honor those who were injured and killed in the Friday, August 7, 1998 terrorist bombing on the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
What is the Kenyan Government waiting for since 2007-08?
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
- George Santayana