By Joseph Ndunda 20/09/2013 Human Rights activist Maina Kiai has accused the state House of being behind the death threats against him and the intimidation of the International Criminal Court ICC witnesses. Kiai has said that his family in Nyeri was this morning threatened in the presence of armed police officers at his mother’s homestead, by a militia group calling itself the Nyaribo Support Group. Addressing a press conference today, Kiai said: “This dangerous and destructive approach is directly fuelled by well-known hate bloggers – including those who are now staff at State House, right at the heart of the Presidency”. The former Kenya National Commission on Human Rights KNCHR Chairman said the militia group threatened to burn down the family homestead and his house today. The rights activist says although police have been cooperative, they have refused to reveal the motive of their presence there. “….They told me this morning that it may not be “safe” to give me more information on my telephone line….Why? Am I under surveillance? Or are they..?” he posed. Kiai now says he fears for the safety of everyone “in this extremely intimidating environment” that grips the country, fuelled by bloggers acting with impunity. I fear for the safety of everyone in this extremely intimidating environment that grips the country, fuelled by State House based bloggers acting with impunity. “They are leading attacks from State House, despite their nefarious history and work. It leads us to the irresistible conclusion that the President himself acquiesces to these attacks against Kenyan citizens and the constitution,” he said. “We will hold him personally and criminally liable should anything happen to my family, to me, or to any other human rights defenders or activists who are simply defending the constitution and basic human rights,” stated the physically shaken Kiai. Accompanied by Anti-graft czar John Githongo and International Centre fof Policy and Conflicts Ndung’u Wainaina, the activist said witnesses at the ICC are being vilified, threatened and exposed. He said people are being exposed as witnesses, when they are not, citing Rahab Muthoni Kagiri from burnt forest, the lady who was accused on social media of being the prosecution witness number P536 who is testifying in camera at the ICC blaming security operatives of laxity. “The lies and fear on social media is escalating, with direct consequences, and our security system seems unable or unwilling to arrest and charge the bloggers,” pointed out the lawyer. He said it is a mark of the highest courage and patriotism for anyone to give evidence in the fight against impunity. Kiai said “it is not treason and it is not criminal to provide evidence to the ICC. Under our Constitution, the ICC is part of our judicial system. Let’s call them for what they are – Witnesses, in this environment, are truly brave heroes for their nation and for justice”. The hard hitting columnist with a local newspaper has said the civil society has been under vicious attack in the social media since March, especially by politicians for what he said is simply exercising their fundamental rights to expression, association and assembly.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 16:54:42 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015