My life is in danger from State House - Maina Kiai

[Ab-Titchaz]

My life is 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


[h=3]In Summary[/h]

• Kiai accused a well known blogger employed at State House of being behind an incident
• Militia claimed that he is one of the prosecution witnesses in the case facing President Uhuru Kenyatta
• Claims witnesses at the ICC are being vilified, threatened and exposed

By PETER LEFTIE

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.

My life in danger over ICC cases: Maina Kiai - News - nation.co.ke

 

[Dhuks]

Got no tears for him

 

[Mekatilili]

Got no tears for him

This is part of the reason I think you are a bigoted, tribal coward. The fact that even after this man's life and family has been threatened by Uhuru's thugs, you are insensitive enough to wish him that fate is telling.

Shame on you coward!

 

[Dhuks]

This is part of the reason I think you are a bigoted, tribal coward. The fact that even after this man's life and family has been threatened by Uhuru's thugs, you are insensitive enough to wish him that fate is telling.

Shame on you coward!

If i was a coward i wouldn't have the guts to put it so plainly, won't address the tribalism issue coz you don't appear to know the meaning.

 

[Bulesi]

Kenyatta and Ruto will leave no stone unturned to make sure that all the evidence against them at the ICC trials is destroyed by eliminating credible witnesses!! Time will tell!!

 

[Mekatilili]

If i was a coward i wouldn't have the guts to put it so plainly, won't address the tribalism issue coz you don't appear to know the meaning.

Yeah, very brave of you to celebrate the issuance of death threats against this man anonymously on the internet. Yes we all now it, you are a tribal hack.

 

[LeCroc]

Huyu bwana si aambie watu alikuwa tu anatafuta kuajiriwa na ICC ama umoja wa mataifa

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Blogger Dennis Itumbi has threatened to sue activist Maina Kiai over claims he made while making a statement over alleged threats to his life.
While addressing a press conference on September 20 the former Kenya National Human Rights Commission chairman said his life and that of his family is in danger.
Kiai said the police had been patrolling his home asking of his whereabouts. He said police called to inform him that there is a militia group dubbed "Nyaribo Support Group" that intends to burn his family's homestead.
Kiai claimed that witnesses at The Hague are being vilified, threatened and exposed by bloggers. He said peoples' families perceived to be ICC witness have been threatened and activists harassed and hounded for their activities.
Kiai said some bloggers who have been harassing people are now working as staff at State House at the heart of the Presidency.
In a letter sent by lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi Kiai is accused of attempting to injure the reputation of Itumbi who was Director of Digital, New Media and Diaspora at the office of the President.
"It is our instruction that the statement leaves no doubt in the mind of the ordinary person in both their express insinuation and implicit description of the "well known hate-blogger employed at State House, refers to our client." the letter reads.
It further termed Kiai's allegations n as "malicious" and an attempt to injure Itumbi's name and reputation.
"The plain, clear and unequivocal meaning of the words published against our client is that they impute that he is behind the alleged incident in which a militia group stormed your family's rural home in Nyeri County; Well known for lies, hate speech and libel; and acts with impunity now that he is a staff at State House, "right at the heart of the presidency," the letter said.
Kiai has been instructed send an "admission of liability" within seven days or legal action will be taken against him over the claims.
- See more at: Itumbi threatens to sue Kiai over 'blogger' claims | The Star