International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, a name familiar to many Kenyans due to his past involvement in high-stakes legal battles concerning the country’s political figures, has temporarily stepped aside from his duties. This move, announced Friday, comes as a United Nations-led investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him nears its conclusion. Khan has categorically denied all accusations.
The ICC confirmed that Khan will be on a leave of absence until the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) completes its probe, which commenced in late 2023. His deputy prosecutors will manage the Office of the Prosecutor in the interim. Khan stated his decision was driven by a “deep and unwavering commitment to the credibility of our Office and the Court, and to safeguard the integrity of the process and fairness to all involved.”
A Familiar Face in Kenyan Legal Circles
Before his appointment as ICC Chief Prosecutor in June 2021, Karim Khan was a prominent British lawyer frequently in the international legal spotlight, particularly for his work involving Kenyan public figures. Many Kenyans will recall Khan as the lead counsel for:
- William Ruto: Khan famously defended current President William Ruto (then Deputy President) against charges of crimes against humanity at the ICC. These charges stemmed from the 2007-2008 post-election violence. The case against Ruto and his co-accused, journalist Joshua Arap Sang, was ultimately terminated in April 2016 due to insufficient evidence, a development Khan played a key role in securing.
- Francis Muthaura: Prior to representing Ruto, Khan also served as lead counsel for Francis Muthaura, Kenya’s former Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, who faced similar ICC charges related to the post-election violence. The charges against Muthaura were dropped by the prosecution in March 2013.
- Kipsigis and Talai Communities: Beyond the ICC cases, Khan also represented over 100,000 members of the Kipsigis and Talai communities in Kenya in their pursuit of redress for alleged human rights violations committed during British colonial rule.
His vigorous defence in these high-profile Kenyan cases made him a well-known, and at times controversial, figure within the country. His subsequent election as ICC Prosecutor was viewed with keen interest in Kenya, given his past interactions with the court as a defence lawyer.
The Allegations and Investigation
The allegations of sexual misconduct against Mr. Khan first surfaced publicly in October 2023. Media reports, including from The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press, detailed accusations from a female staff member. These accusations reportedly include unwanted sexual touching, attempts to coerce her into a sexual relationship, and forced sexual intercourse, alleged to have occurred in various locations.
Khan has consistently and firmly denied these allegations as “categorically untrue” and has stated his full cooperation with the investigation.
The ICC’s governing body referred the matter to the UN’s OIOS for an independent external investigation, which began around December 2023. Reports indicate that Khan recently had a final interview with the UN investigators. His decision to step aside now, according to some human rights groups and court observers, is a step towards protecting the court’s credibility during this sensitive period.
The timeline for the conclusion of the OIOS investigation and the subsequent steps remain unclear. In the meantime, the work of the ICC, which is currently handling several high-profile global situations, will continue under the guidance of the deputy prosecutors. This development adds another layer of scrutiny to the international court at a time when it is navigating complex geopolitical landscapes.