By PETER OPIYO
A cloud is hanging over the Kenya cases at the International Criminal Court ( ICC) following fresh claims of intimidation of witnesses.
Serious concerns have emerged over protection of key witnesses in the cases pending before the ICC.
Already, The Standard has established, crucial witnesses have raised concerns about being intimidated against giving evidence. Also, it has emerged that forces targeting the witnesses are even engaged in cyber crime through hacking email accounts looking for possible evidence the witnesses may have adduced or communication they may have had with the Office of the Prosecutor.
In what may cause friction between Kenya and ICC over cooperation and the protection of witnesses, the Attorney-General Githu Muigai has swung into action ordering the Criminal Investigation Department to track down the culprits.
The AG has directed top security organs and the Witness Protection Agency (WPA) to urgently investigate the complaints raised.
Threats to witnesses and to individuals cooperating with the ICC became widespread as soon as investigations began in 2010.
Last year, during the confirmation of charges, ICC Victims Representative Sureta Chana accused Kenyan MP Charles Keter of threatening witnesses testifying against the three suspects during a radio station call-in programme.
Nailing accused
Mr Keter allegedly claimed to know the identities of two of the witnesses whose testimony was presented during the hearings.
The latest witnessesâ concerns come just a day after the Hague-based Court convicted Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga of conscripting child soldiers to his militia group. Lubanga, 52, became the first person to be convicted by the ICC in its 10-year history.
Louis Moreno-Ocampo has focused his lenses on the Kenyan case writing a letter to Attorney General over intimidation of witnesses.
Crazy Monday
Home & Away
Eve Woman
Generation Next
Sunday Magazine
