International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. Her office has expressed confidence in its witness protection mechanism saying it remained committed to protecting its witnesses dismissing concerns raised in the Kenyan media about the willingness of some witnesses to continue giving their accounts during trial of President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto and Joshua Sang. Photo/FILE NATION
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecution office has expressed confidence in its witness protection mechanism saying it remained committed to protecting its witnesses.
The office released a statement on Friday
affirming its commitment to protect the witnesses but also dismissed
concerns raised in the Kenyan media about the willingness of some people
set to testify to continue giving their accounts during trial of
President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto and Joshua Sang.
“The Office of the Prosecutor deplores the recent
stream of sensationalist reports in the Kenyan media, on the level of
witness cooperation. Witness protection remains one of our highest
priorities” said the statement.
A number of witnesses have withdrawn their
statements recently putting the prosecution on the limelight especially
after Witness Number 4 in the case against Mr Kenyatta and Mr Francis
Mathaura withdrew forcing prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to abandon the
latter’s case.
Even with the withdrawals— the latest three who
were lined up to testify against Mr Kenyatta but bolted out citing
safety fears— Ms Bensouda’s office said they were not challenged, only
saying the courage and integrity of its witnesses was important to the
progress of the cases.
“The Office will therefore not be drawn into any
public speculation on the status of witnesses. The courage and
integrity of witnesses are essential to the Court’s determination of the
truth, which is at the heart of justice. It is in the interest of all
concerned to allow justice to take its course,” added the statement.
So far one witness has rebuffed his account
against Mr Ruto, the deputy president-elect, saying he was induced to
testify against Mr Ruto at the ICC.
Witness Number 4 termed as key in Mr Muthaura’s
case, also claimed to have been coached to give evidence at the court
when he withdrew.
Mr Muthaura’s case, the head of civil service when
the last post-election violence rocked the country in 2007/08, was
dropped by the court.
Mr Kenyatta who will be sworn in as Kenya’s fourth president on Tuesday is expected at The Hague in July when his trial opens.
Mr Ruto and Mr Sang will begin their trial next month.
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