Give us the proof of bribery, rights group tells Ruto

Hezron Njoroge | NATION
Kenya National Commission for Human Rights chairperson Florence Jaoko at a media briefing on Wednesday. She said the allegations made against the commission by suspended Higher Education minister William Ruto were untrue.

What you need to know:

  • Jaoko denies that some witnesses were bribed to testify against the suspended minister

Eldoret North MP William Ruto should present any evidence of manipulation of post-election violence witnesses to the relevant authorities.

Mr Ruto had claimed on Tuesday that an official of a State-sponsored human rights watchdog had “hired and bribed” witnesses to implicate him in the post-election violence.

But on Wednesday, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo challenged Mr Ruto to produce proof of his claims.

Ms Florence Jaoko, the chair of the watchdog, said the commission recorded information from 46 senior police officers, 40 members of the Provincial Administration, 33 councillors and 10 then sitting and former MPs.

The commission, she added, also spoke to those affected by the violence and based its report of August 2008 on the statements and evidence from a total 1,102 people.

“The commission did not hire, the commission did not bribe, the commission did not influence or coach the witnesses,” said Mrs Jaoko, who was flanked by former vice chairman Hassan Omar and other commissioners.

Mr Ruto’s attack was specifically directed at Mr Omar, whom he said was in charge of the process and was pursuing a personal vendetta against him.

Omar declined to respond

Mr Omar declined to respond at Wednesday’s press conference and instead asked journalists to refer to the commission’s statement and Mrs Jaoko’s answers.

“If the Hon William Ruto has any tangible information on any wrongdoing on the part of any of our commissioners, let him present it to the necessary authorities rather than attempt to put the whole institution into disrepute,” Mrs Jaoko said in the statement.

“Commissioner Hassan is employed by the commission. He does not work here in his individual capacity and will not respond to the questions by Ruto,” said Mrs Jaoko when journalists asked Mr Hassan to respond.

Separately, Mr Kilonzo said Mr Ruto’s claims could be an attempt to intimidate witnesses.

“I plead with Ruto and others who want to go to the Hague to meet Ocampo. If you have any evidence of witness manipulation, you have a responsibility to report it to justice Rawal,” he said.

High Court judge Kalpana Rawal has been appointed to preside over the recording of witness statements.