The Ocampo Six: How the Name Came About and Its Place in Kenya’s History

The term “Ocampo Six” is now part of Kenya’s modern political lexicon, but its origins trace back to one of the country’s darkest moments—the post-election violence of 2007–2008. 

After the presidential election of December 2007, which saw Mwai Kibaki declared the winner, Kenya descended into chaos. Overnight, communities that had lived side by side turned against each other. 

Homes were torched, businesses destroyed, and neighbors attacked neighbors. By the time the violence subsided, over 1,100 people had died, and approximately 600,000 Kenyans were displaced, leaving a deep scar on the nation’s social fabric.

In the immediate aftermath, the Kenyan government promised to hold those responsible accountable through local courts. 

However, parliamentary and legal processes faltered, leaving many victims and observers frustrated. As a result, the cases were referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, in a bid to seek justice for the scale and severity of the crimes.

It was in 2010 that the then-ICC prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo, formally named six prominent Kenyans allegedly bearing the greatest responsibility for the post-election violence. 

These six individuals would collectively come to be known as the “Ocampo Six.” The list reflected a balance of the country’s political divide at the time, as the prosecutor sought to identify those in positions of power who were alleged to have instigated or facilitated the violence.

The Ocampo Six were divided into two groups based on their perceived roles in the unrest:

The PNU-linked group (supporters of then-President Mwai Kibaki):

Uhuru Kenyatta, future president of Kenya

Francis Muthaura, former head of the civil service

Mohammed Hussein Ali, former police commissioner

This group was accused of retaliatory attacks against supporters of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

The ODM-linked group (supporters of Raila Odinga):

William Ruto, future deputy president


Henry Kosgey, long-serving politician and ODM figure


Joshua arap Sang, a local media personality and ODM affiliate

They were alleged to have planned and incited violence against PNU supporters, particularly in the Rift Valley region, where ethnic and political tensions were most pronounced.

In 2012, after lengthy investigations, the ICC judges allowed cases against Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, Francis Muthaura, and Joshua arap Sang to proceed. 

However, the cases against Henry Kosgey and Mohammed Hussein Ali were dropped due to insufficient evidence. This left four individuals facing trial at The Hague.

Despite the high-profile nature of the trials, all cases eventually collapsed, primarily due to challenges with witness credibility, political interference, and procedural issues. 

No convictions were secured, and the matter left Kenya with a controversial legacy of accountability that continues to influence political discourse.

The Ocampo Six remains a symbol in Kenya—not only of the violence of 2007–2008 but also of the complex intersection of politics, ethnicity, and the law. 

The name itself—derived from ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo—carries historical weight, reminding Kenyans of the international community’s involvement in addressing crimes against humanity within the country.

Today, the legacy of the Ocampo Six shapes how Kenyans view political responsibility and the limits of justice. 

While the trials did not deliver convictions, they highlighted the need for reform in national accountability mechanisms and reinforced the idea that political leaders are never entirely beyond scrutiny.

In short, the Ocampo Six serves as a reminder of Kenya’s troubled past, the fragility of peace, and the ongoing struggle to ensure that those in power are held accountable for acts of violence.