Court told of death threat in poll case

By RENSON BULUMA

Kenya: A number of witnesses in petitions challenging Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba and his Funyula counterpart Paul Otuoma have complained of receiving threats.

Lawyers Alex Masika representing petitioner John Okello in the Funyula case and Ashford Muriuki who is representing petitioner Henry Nadimo in the Budalangi case separately asked High Court Judge Francis Tuiyott to intervene and ensure that witnesses in the two cases are not intimidated.

In the Funyula case, Mr Masika told the court that witness number two and number five had received threats from unknown people after testifying in court. This forced witness number five to spend nights in the bush for fear of being attacked.

Muriuki on the other hand said witnesses in the petition challenging Namwamba’s election claimed they received threats from people known to them.

 He said although one of the witnesses had reported the matter to the police, court was required to issue a directive that would stop the threats.

 “We need the court to issue a directive so that whoever is behind the threats is stopped,” said Muriuki.

 Mr Tuiyott said the integrity of the court needed to be protected. He directed police to provide the court with information regarding the threats.

 “I have noted concerns raised by the petitioners and since the matter is with police I direct that information be provided,” said Tuiyott.

 He, however, noted that despite election petitions being emotive, people should remain sober and not hype information that would create tension among parties.