Nairobi, Kenya— Former Government Delivery Services Chief Dr. Peter Mbae has taken a bold step to seek international justice.
On April 16, Mbae formally lodged a petition with the International Criminal Court (ICC) following comments by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen suggesting a predetermined outcome for the 2027 presidential election.
In a strongly worded letter, Mbae warned that such declarations echo the tensions that led to Kenya’s deadly 2007 post-election violence. He is calling on the ICC to intervene immediately and open an investigation to prevent a possible return to bloodshed.
ICC Petition Filed to Stop Pre-election Threats and Ensure Free Elections
In the official complaint filed with the ICC Prosecutor, Dr. Mbae described Murkomen’s statement, made on April 14 at a public gathering, as a threat to Kenya’s democracy. The Cabinet Secretary had boldly declared that President William Ruto would win re-election in 2027 “under all circumstances.”
Mbae said such words are not only reckless but also dangerous. He likened the tone and implication of Murkomen’s statement to the period before the 2007 election, which ended in one of Kenya’s darkest moments. More than 1,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced during the 2007-2008 post-election violence.
“The only probable conclusion,” Mbae stated in the letter, “is that the current administration shall employ all means possible to ensure the outcome is as stated by the Cabinet Secretary.”
The former head of the Government Delivery Services called for the ICC to take immediate action, warning that silence could fuel the same ethnic and political tensions that exploded in 2007.
He stressed that an investigation launched now by the ICC would deter future violations and keep the 2027 election peaceful.
He wrote, “We have sent a copy of this letter to the Prosecutor of the ICC for prompt, immediate, and urgent interventions by the Court to open an investigation on the Kenyan situation to prevent the possibility of a repeat 2007 violence.”
Mbae Demands Public Assurances of Free and Peaceful Elections
Dr. Mbae did not stop at the ICC. In a separate letter sent to the Ministry of Interior on April 16, he demanded that CS Murkomen publicly affirm Kenya’s commitment to democratic values.
The letter criticized Murkomen’s remarks as undermining the integrity of the election process. Mbae noted that telling the public the outcome of the 2027 polls is already known threatens the constitutional right of every Kenyan to vote freely.
“The statement was to the effect that the outcome of the 2027 Presidential Election is predetermined,” Mbae’s letter read. “That President Ruto will win under all circumstances.”
He demanded two clear public assurances from the Cabinet Secretary:
That the 2027 general elections will be free, fair, and transparent.
That the state will guarantee peaceful campaigns and voting without violence, suppression, or intimidation.
By highlighting these demands, Mbae put the government on notice. He is urging authorities to show the public that they are committed to democratic processes and will not condone any manipulation or threats to the electoral system.
Murkomen’s Statement Triggers Worry Over Election Fairness
The statement by CS Murkomen is being widely viewed as a red flag. Critics say it suggests that the government could rig the election or manipulate state machinery to stay in power.
For many Kenyans, this brings back painful memories. In 2007, similarly loaded statements and power struggles set the stage for horrific violence. Today, Mbae says the signs are too familiar to ignore.
Murkomen, a top government insider and key ally of President Ruto, has not retracted or clarified his comments. This silence has only raised more questions.
Mbae believes such silence amounts to approval. His ICC petition argues that these remarks, if not addressed, could lay the groundwork for crimes against humanity if violence erupts again.
As the country prepares for the next general elections, civil society and international observers will now be watching closely. The ICC petition could trigger international scrutiny and even formal investigations if the Court decides to act.
Kenya cannot afford another descent into chaos. That is why Mbae’s actions, while controversial to some, could be a necessary check on rising political tension.
