Second ICC witness claims he was coerced to withdraw testimony against DP Ruto

In explosive testimony, the witness who took the stand testified how he was approached several times by lawyer Paul Gicheru.

"I communicated with Mr. Gicheru not once but many times…," he said.

The purpose of the meetings was to lead the witness in signing legal documents which the witness referred to as contracts to cease cooperation with the ICC essentially preventing them from testifying against Deputy President William Ruto and recanting their previous statements.

"Many clandestine things were happening in Kenya he once threatened us that 'I will kill you'…," said the witness.

The witness also said Gicheru was tasked with locating ICC witnesses inside and outside the country. 

"Number 22 was sought in Europe they managed to get him he didn’t mention the name of the person who got him…," he added.

The defence attorney Michael Karnavas who carried out the cross-examination on Tuesday poked holes into his statement saying there was no evidence to support the fact that any such meetings or signing of documents had taken place.

"There are no phone records and no contracts to support what you are saying as far as we are concerned this is all coming from you," submitted the Attorney.

Presiding judge Miatta Maria Samba intervened, raising concern over the fact that both the prosecution and defence were naming names in an open session and called for a private session. 

Gicheru surrendered to ICC last year after an arrest warrant was issued by the Hague-based court over claims of witness interference.