A Key witness in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case at the Hague has been reported dead under unclear circumstances.
Christopher Koech, a teacher at Kakhunga Primary School in Mumias in Kakamega county is said to have drove to the school on Sunday July 16, but disappeared to an undisclosed destination for about an hour.
He was later found lying on the side of a road next to his motorbike near Shibuli market, a few kilometres from Kakamega town.
According to eyewitness account, the man was sweating profusely with foam dripping from his mouth.
Kakamega County Police Commander Joseph Kigen however noted that that the matter had not been reported to the police.
“We will investigate the incident and take appropriate action,” remarked Kigen.
According to Human Activist who spoke to the media, Koech sought witness protection at some point over fear for his life.
“At one time, he was under witness protection and even sought refuge in a neighbouring country,” noted rights activist David Koros who spoke to Nation.Africa.
Koech was to travel to The Hague to testify in lawyer Paul Gicheru’s ICC case.
The charges against Gicheru relate to witness tampering in connection with the collapsed ICC case against Deputy President William Ruto and broadcaster Joseph Sang.
In April this year, however, Gicheru threw twist in DP Ruto witness bribery case.
According to documents filed by his lawyer, Michael Karnavas, Gicheru told The Hague-based court that he will not challenge the allegations levelled against him.
The new twist in the case means that judges will only use the evidence and testimony of witnesses called to the stand.
DP Ruto, was mentioned in the case, with witnesses claiming that he offered them bribes to withdraw from testifying in his vacated case.
Gicheru is accused of offences against the administration of justice consisting in corruptly influencing witnesses regarding cases from the situation in Kenya - charges initially pleaded not guilty to.
Witness P-0613 claimed that he was approached to stop supporting the ICC case against DP Ruto. The witness claimed that a lawyer was in charge of paying potential witnesses.
"There is one who is superior, and I wasn't told who that is. I was told it is not necessary to know that much. You will be sorted out here," the trial lawyer read the witness's statement.
"P-0540 told me that the money to pay me and others was coming from Ruto and the money would be coming via Eldoret Lawyer Gicheru," another witness statement detailed.
This is not the first time witnesses have been found dead in relation to ICC case in 2007 post election violence.
On January 2015, another key witness in the case touching on DP Ruto was found dead.
Meshack Yebei's decomposed body was discovered after he was reportedly abducted on December 28, 2014.
