Witnesses facing more threats: agency

The agency that protects witnesses has warned of an increase in threats against witnesses of high level crimes in the last two years.

The Witness Protection Agency cited land grabbing, terrorism, corruption and high profile murder among others as some of the cases where witnesses received the most threats.

Though it did not name the specific cases where witnesses were threatened, the agency warned that threats would not be tolerated.

The agency's director, Alice Ondieki, also warned that the country had degenerated into a criminalised society that no longer respected the rule of law.

“In the last two years alone, the level of criminality in this country has skyrocketed and more and more witnesses’ lives continue to be in danger,” said Mrs Ondieki in a statement on Monday.

'FULL THROTTLE'

The agency, which now protects a total of 160 witnesses, also warned journalists against exposing crucial witnesses in national and international cases.

“Witnesses of high level crimes that involve big people in society are now more threatened than ever. The criminals in Kenya have now gone full throttle in their quest to defeat justice,” the director said.

She added: “The agency is however on top of its game and that is why we want all potential witnesses of these high profile cases to register with us.”

Insisting that even the media was not above the law in as far as protection of witnesses was concerned, Mrs Ondieki said that the media must be wary of being used to scuttle efforts to have witnesses testify.

“We have noted with concern the number of threats on witnesses that are supposed to testify in various high profile cases and journalists should be warned not to be in this mess,” the director said.

The International Criminal Court had also issued a stern warning in the cases against Deputy President William Ruto and Joshua arap Sang where a section of journalists and bloggers attempted to reveal the identity of witnesses.

“It is a punishable offence to dissuade or try to hinder one from appearing in a court of law by using threats,” she said, adding that the offence attracts a jail term of not more than seven years.

The agency has opened an office at the new Kisumu courts to serve clients from over 20 counties from Nyanza, western and parts of Rift Valley.

“We intend to devolve to the counties as soon as possible so that many people can access our services,” Mrs Ondieki said.

The Witness Protection Agency is an independent body tasked with protecting witnesses or families of witnesses whose lives are in danger because of testifying in a case in a local or international court.

It started operations in 2010.