Victims ICC lawyer urges Kenya to initiate Sh10bn restoration fund
- 5 years ago
International Criminal Court (ICC) victims lawyer Wilfred Nderitu says it is now up to the government to ensure justice is delivered to the over 1,000 people killed and thousands displaced during 2007-2008 post election violence.
This follows termination of the case against Deputy President William Ruto and former broadcaster Joshua arap Sang, which means all the six suspects are now free.
Nderitu says the government should initiate the Sh10 billion restoration fund as a way to heal the victims as well as carry out a thorough inquiry on what exactly caused the violence, to avoid a recurrence in future.
“At the moment, I can only say we respect the decision,” he told a briefing after termination of the case.
“It only opens another door for the government to keep its word. It is time for the government to launch the restoration fund it promised.”
Nderitu said it is unlikely that they will be appealing the decision but noted that the victims look up to ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.
“It may be unlikely that the victim would be appealing the decision for the simple reason that the essentially victims are participants in the proceeding and not party to the proceedings,” he said.
This follows termination of the case against Deputy President William Ruto and former broadcaster Joshua arap Sang, which means all the six suspects are now free.
Nderitu says the government should initiate the Sh10 billion restoration fund as a way to heal the victims as well as carry out a thorough inquiry on what exactly caused the violence, to avoid a recurrence in future.
“At the moment, I can only say we respect the decision,” he told a briefing after termination of the case.
“It only opens another door for the government to keep its word. It is time for the government to launch the restoration fund it promised.”
Nderitu said it is unlikely that they will be appealing the decision but noted that the victims look up to ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.
“It may be unlikely that the victim would be appealing the decision for the simple reason that the essentially victims are participants in the proceeding and not party to the proceedings,” he said.