Dropped ICC witnesses were ‘coached’ to fix Ruto September 11, 2013 by WAMBUI NDONGA Kosgei, who was accompanied by another witness, Simon Rotich, further claimed that he was given Sh50,000 for his accommodation and a further Sh373,000 for him to testify against Ruto. Rotich also alleged that he was given 3,000 euros (Sh348,683) as an inducement to remain on the case. They both explained how they were taken to Arusha where they were ‘coached’ before being taken to the Netherlands. The two also claimed that they were intimidated by the OTP officials after indicating that they wanted to pull out of the case. “They took one of my children away and placed him in foster care to force me into testifying against Ruto and Sang. When I refused, they had me declared as an illegal immigrant in Netherlands but I was later released and my son was brought back to us,” alleged Rotich. Kosgei and Rotich both claimed that the initial accounts they gave to the Waki Commission and which was used by the OTP was changed and details which they were unaware of, inserted. In the video clip, Rotich explained how he was forced to place his fingerprint on one of the allegedly doctored documents when he declined to approve it. He explained that OTP Senior Trial Attorney Cynthia Tai and others threatened him and made him place his fingerprint. Kosgei however said that he was ready to face any legal processes that might come his way as a result of his turn- around. This comes at a time when the OTP has sought an adjournment into the trials that started on Tuesday as a result of lack of witnesses. The first witness is now expected to testify from Tuesday next week.
Posted on: Wed, 11 Sep 2013 17:03:02 +0000