Wycliffe Nyamasege
The State has reopened the 2007-2008 Post Election Violence (PEV) cases after victims alleged receiving new threats.
Speaking on Monday after presiding over an event held for the victims to record statements in Nairobi, Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti said police will do their part to ensure perpetrators are brought to book.
“We are going to the field and soon you are going to see action from us, ” he said adding that the cases will be handled by Kenyan courts.
According to the DCI boss, a total of 118 cases were registered today by complainants and witnesses.
From the cases, Kinoti said, 72 are from those whose wives/husbands/children were killed and the rest are from those who were displaced from their homes.
Read: 2007/08 Post-election Violence Victims To Record Statements With DCI
The violence that erupted after the 2007 General Election left at least 1200 people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.
Kinoti said from the witness statements, Kenyans will see more arrests as many perpetrators are still at large.
“Hatusemi kuwa kwa hizi kesi watu hawakushikwa…Watu walishikwa…(we are not saying people were not arrested, people were arrested) We do not close criminal cases because the facts are active…, ” said Kinoti.
He pointed out the heinous act where people were burnt in Kiambaa church, Uasin Gishu County, where they had sought refuge after being driven out of their homes.
Read Also: Lawyer Paul Gicheru Accused Corrupting ICC Witnesses Surrenders In Netherlands
Kinoti urged all victims and witnesses to record their statements, saying police will go after the truth without fear regardless of where the path leads them.
“I will defend you. My colleagues have done the drill to bury me. If I have served you well, our souls will meet our maker in heaven,” he said.
Early this month, lawyer Paul Gicheru surrendered to International Criminal Court (ICC) in Netherlands over allegations that he corrupted and interfered with witnesses, leading to the collapse of the crimes against humanity case against Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Arap Sang.
The two were among Kenyans, who were charged with instigating the 2007-2008 violence. The case was, however, vacated in 2016.
The judges in the ICC case ruled that the DP and his co-accused had no case to answer.
However, they left the door open for possible fresh charges in future if sufficient evidence is tabled, noting that the case had been hampered by political interference and threats against witnesses.
Gicheru’s move to turn himself in has left many speculating that the case might be reopened.
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