FIVE people recorded statements yesterday with police in Eldoret over the apparent kidnapping of an ICC witness linked to the Kenya cases.
The witness’s wife, his two brothers and two close friends recorded statements at the CID offices.
Some family members said they had received information the witness was snatched on Sunday by unknown people at Turbo.
They were in two black cars that sped towards Eldoret town, police were told.
The witness was reportedly bundled into one of the cars as soon as he left the shop where he had gone to buy water for his sick child.
“He had taken his child to hospital at Turbo together with his wife. While at the hospital, the child began vomiting and he decided to go buy water at the market at about midday, but he never returned,” said his elder brother, who cannot be named because ICC witnesses cannot be identified.
The family members said yesterday they are working with the police to trace the witness.
Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang’ face charges at the ICC in connection with the 2007-08 post-election violence.
It was unclear, however, if the missing man was to testify for the defence or prosecution in the ICC cases.
Yesterday, senior police officers said they are investigating. More people were expected to record statements.
A text message from an anonymous number was sent to the witness’s mother and a friend.
It was purportedly from the witness saying he was in Uganda with a team from the ICC.
It was not certain that the witness sent the message.
The SMS was written in Kalenjin: “abwati ale ichamegei, kwawe uganda urgently. kimi ak ngamotik cheb bensouda nekile patrick ak lugusa. ami komie, mosich wasiwasi. ako namba nenyu ni” (I hope you are okay, I went to Uganda urgently. I am with Bensouda’s people Patrick and Lugusa. I am all right don’t worry and this is my number).
It originated from the number 256-773125351.
Eldoret West police boss Smollets Munyanzi could not be reached for comment.
Family members told police the witness had expressed fears for his life after he disagreed with some people over the ICC cases.
He informed police, they said.
– the-star.co.ke
