Alston: Witness protection key to justice

By Standard Reporters

The absence of a witness protection programme is the main cause of impunity.

As a result, witnesses to crimes by police, politicians and other powerful actors often receive death threats.

This makes Kenyans a timid people, whose rights are trampled on by State and non-state actors.

The UN Rapporteur for extra judicial, arbitrary or summary executions Phillip Alston said some witnesses were forced to seek refuge.

"Some are ‘disappeared’. Some are gunned down in the streets. Witnesses know that speaking out poses a real threat to their safety. Even high profile members of civil society are not safe," he said.

War against impunity

Added he: "An effective witness protection program, one that is trusted by witnesses and is independent from the very officials against whom the witness is testifying, is essential in the fight against impunity. In the absence of such a program, no accountability measures – whether they be with respect to investigations in Mt Elgon or the setting up of a Special Tribunal – will be effective."

The UN officer also wants the Government to compensate families of victims of extrajudicial killings.

In addition to criminal law remedies, "it is also important that the Government fulfills its responsibility to provide full reparations, including compensation, to the families of deceased victims."