Nairobi — Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has told off the Opposition on plans to have the Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome charger in The Hague for war crimes.

The Raila Odinga-led Azimio coalition announced Friday that it had petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Koome for brutalising Opposition supporters during recent protests in Nairobi and Kisumu.

"They are trying to intimidate the IG but I want to assure the police boss to stand firm and continue doing his work," Gachagua said, "All you did is to protect life and property. SoI want to assure you that the Government of President William Ruto will protect you fully and you should not be intimidated, you should not be."

At least three people died and several were injured during the protests callee by Odinga over the high cost of living and the presidential victory he claims was stolen from him in the August 2022 election in which Ruto was declared winner.

"Infact the people who should be taken to ICC are those Azimio characters who have destroyed property belonging to the people of Kenya," Gachagua said.

Azimio, through a letter to the ICC prosecutor's office, sought a pretrial authorization to investigate police misconduct during their demonstrations.

In the letter, advocate Paul Mwangi wants the Hague based court to probe attacks that were directed to Azimio members since they commenced their demonstrations.

He also alleged that IG Koome had publicly issued death threats in case they protested. The petition also features Odinga's claim that Rigathi Gachagua was also involved in death threats.