NAIROBI, KENYA – International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, a figure well-known in Kenya for his role defending President William Ruto, is now embroiled in a global controversy involving a covert intelligence operation allegedly sponsored by Qatar. An investigation by The Guardian, published on Thursday, 6 November 2025, revealed that a woman who accused Khan of sexual misconduct was the target of a spying operation by private intelligence firms.

The operation was reportedly led by Highgate, a London-based strategic advisory firm, with the aim of discrediting Khan's accuser. According to leaked documents, the firms sought sensitive personal data, including passport details and information concerning the woman's child, in an attempt to find evidence linking her to Israeli intelligence. However, the investigation found no such connections.

Khan has vehemently denied the misconduct allegations, suggesting they are part of a smear campaign orchestrated by Israel and its allies. This claim is set against the backdrop of his decision in 2024 to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The ICC issued the warrants on 21 November 2024.

A Familiar Figure in Kenyan Justice

For many Kenyans, Karim Khan is not a distant international prosecutor but a key player in one of the most significant chapters of the country's recent legal and political history. Khan, a British lawyer, served as the lead defense counsel for William Ruto, then Deputy President, when he faced charges of crimes against humanity at the ICC. The charges stemmed from the deadly post-election violence of 2007-2008 that left over 1,000 people dead.

Ruto's trial began on 10 September 2013, and the case was ultimately terminated in April 2016, with judges citing insufficient evidence, in a ruling Khan successfully argued for. The collapse of the Kenyan cases at the ICC, which also involved former President Uhuru Kenyatta, was a contentious issue, marked by allegations of witness tampering and political interference. Upon his election as ICC Chief Prosecutor in February 2021, Khan recused himself from all Kenyan cases to avoid any perceived conflict of interest.

Geopolitical Intrigue and Denials

The alleged spying operation adds another layer of complexity to the challenges facing the ICC. Highgate, the firm at the center of the claims, confirmed it conducted a review related to the ICC but denied it was contracted by the Qatari government or that it targeted any individual. Lawyers for Khan acknowledged that his representatives had met with Highgate but denied any knowledge of or involvement in the alleged spying activities. The Qatari government has not officially responded to the allegations.

The situation is further complicated by Qatar's own recent engagement with the ICC. In September 2025, Qatari officials met with the court's president to discuss pursuing legal action against Israel following a deadly strike in Doha. The alleged intelligence operation raises critical questions about the use of private spy firms in international disputes and the immense pressures facing the world's permanent war crimes court.

Khan has temporarily stepped aside from his duties pending a UN inquiry into the misconduct allegations against him. The outcome of this inquiry, coupled with the revelations of the covert operation, will have significant implications for the credibility and future of the International Criminal Court—an institution whose work has had a profound and lasting impact on Kenya's political landscape.