Friday, September 20, 2013
My life in danger over ICC cases: Maina Kiai
Human rights activist Maina Kiai addressing a press conference on September 20, 2013. He claimed his family has received threats over his alleged involvement in the ICC cases. PHOTO/JENNIFER MUIRURI
Human Rights activist Maina Kiai has sensationally accused State House of being behind acts of intimidation targeted at him and witnesses in the ongoing cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Addressing a press conference in Nairobi, Mr Kiai accused a “well known hate-blogger” employed at State House of being behind an incident in which a militia group stormed his family’s rural home in Nyeri county on Friday threatening to burn it down.
"Early this morning, direct threats against my family have resulted in the presence of armed police and dogs at my mother’s homestead in Nyeri. I’ve been informed by the police that a militia calling itself the “Nyaribo Support Group” intends to burn the family homestead and my house in Nyeri today,” said a visibly shaken Mr Kiai.
Mr Kiai who was flanked by fellow activists John Githongo, Wainaina Ndung’u and Davindar Lamba said the militia was acting on a blog that claimed that he is one of the prosecution witnesses in the case facing President Uhuru Kenyatta at the ICC.
Reports on the social media this week alleged that Mr Kiai was already in The Hague ready to testify against President Kenyatta whose trial commences on November 12.
“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. They are well known for their lies, hate speech and libel,” he stated.
BLOGGERS
“They should never have been hired in the first place. 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 went on.
“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,” he concluded.
Mr Kiai decried what he called a sustained campaign of intimidation being waged out by social media bloggers targeting Kenyans perceived as witnesses in the cases at the ICC.
“Witnesses at the ICC are being vilified, threatened and exposed. And people are being exposed as witnesses, when they are not – as with Rahab Muthoni Kagiri,” he stated.
“It is not treason and it is not criminal to provide evidence to the ICC. Lets call them for what they are, witnesses, in this environment, are truly brave heroes for their nation and for justice. It is a mark of the highest courage and patriotism for anyone to give evidence in the fight against impunity,” he stated.
No comments:
Post a Comment