By Heba Girgis
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya—Kenya’s Chief Justice Willy Mutunga says that he has recently been threatened with “dire consequences” if the courts decide to bar presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta from contesting the next election which is to take place in March.

Muntunga made a public statement that he will not be cowed by these threats and harassment. Specifically, Mutungra said yesterday that he received a threatening letter. This letter not only mentioned Kenyatta, but also another one of the nation’s leaders who both face trial at the International Criminal Court. Mutunga further noted that he was almost prevented from travelling to Tanzania by an immigration official who believed that this trip was an act of politics. Mutunga concluded that this was deliberate harassment. He is convinced that it is political and noted that “public accountability requires” making it public.

The case before the International Criminal Court stems from certain allegations that Kenyatta fueled the violence that followed the disputed presidential elections in 2007. Kenyatta denies these allegations. Kenyatta and his running mate, William Ruto, are due for trial at The Hague about one month after the March 4th elections. More than 1,000 people died in this violence that swept through the country after the 2007 election.

Political pressure groups have asked Kenya’s high court to disqualify the pair from contesting the election because of the pending International Criminal Court case.

Mutunga commented on these threats saying, “These incidents evidence a pattern of emerging harassment against my person, the Office of the Chief Justice, and the judiciary.” He continued saying, “No fewer than five judges have been attacked in the recent past.” He also noted that judicial officers were being politically intimidated.

The Judge has announced that he has sent this letter to the Inspector General of Police, the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department, Director of the National Intelligence Service, and the Director of Public Prosecutions asking each of them to investigate the matter and give Kenya a progress report on the investigation. “I am also asking the inspector General of Police to take the necessary steps to enhance the security of judges and other judicial officers at this time,” he said.

Mutunga said that a total of five judges have been attacked recently before the March elections.

 

For further information, please see:

BBC News – Kenya’s Willy Mutunga Threatened Over Kenyatta Case – 20 February 2013

Bloomberg – Kenya’s Chief Justice Gets Death Threat Over Kenyatta ICC Case – 20 February 2013

Capital News – Kenya CJ Reveals Threat, State Intimidation – 20 February 2013

Fox News – Kenya’s Chief Justice Reveals Threats – 20 February 2013