Officials from the International Criminal Court are in Kenya to discuss how to protect witnesses in the cases of six men accused of masterminding the violence following the 2007 elections.
On Sunday, the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, said the government was creating a “climate of fear”.
Kenyan officials dismissed the claim.
The accused, including Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, deny they committed crimes against humanity during the unrest in which some 1,000 people died.
The Kenyan government has contested the jurisdiction of the ICC on the matter, saying it could investigate and prosecute the cases itself.
‘Sending the wrong signal’
On Monday, a team from Mr Moreno-Ocampo’s office began discussions with the Kenyan authorities about the protection of witnesses.
“Start Quote
Is the government of Kenya protecting witnesses or protecting the suspects from investigation?”
End Quote Luis Moreno-Ocampo ICC chief prosector
The ICC officials would “assess not just the specific protection program”, but would also want to “understand the current position of the government in relation with the post-electoral violence”, a statement said.
Mr Moreno-Ocampo complained on Sunday that high-ranking members of the government had misrepresented ICC efforts to do justice for the victims as an attack against Kenyan sovereignty.
“They are pursuing regional and political campaigns to stop the case. Not only is this sending the wrong signal, but it is also promoting a growing climate of fear that is intimidating potential witnesses and ultimately undermining national and international investigations,” he said.
“My question to the Kenyan government is this: does the government of Kenya want justice for the victims? We need an unequivocal answer, an answer that Kenyans and the world could understand,” he added.
“Is the government of Kenya protecting witnesses or protecting the suspects from investigation? That is the question.”
Kenya accused
Supporters of Mwai Kibaki in 2007
- Uhuru Kenyatta – deputy prime minister and finance minister and son of Kenya’s founding president
- Francis Muthaura – head of civil service and cabinet secretary
- Hussein Ali – police chief during the violence
Supporters of Raila Odinga in 2007
- William Ruto – former minister of higher education. Member of the Kalenjin community
- Henry Kosgey – former minister of industrialisation – chairman of Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement
- Joshua arap Sang – reporter and executive of radio station, Kass FM
Last year, the ICC warned that it would request arrest warrants for anyone who tried to threaten witnesses involved in the cases, or their families, and that it was taking steps to identify those responsible for intimidation.
In addition to Mr Kenyatta, the accused are Cabinet Secretary Francis Muthaura, Postal Corporation chief Hussein Ali, suspended government ministers William Ruto and Henry Kosgey, and radio executive Joshua Arap Sang.
The violence, which brought Kenya to the brink of civil war, broke out after supporters of President Mwai Kibaki were accused of trying to rig the presidential election in December 2007.
It ended when Mr Kibaki and the main opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, agreed to share power, with the latter becoming prime minister. They also agreed that those responsible would face justice in Kenya or at the ICC in The Hague.
ICC judges are to hold hearings in September to decide whether the men should stand trial. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment.
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ICC concern for Kenya witnesses