NAIROBI: The International Criminal Court (ICC) expressed deep regret at the abduction and death of Meshack Yebei.
In a statement, ICC was quick to point out that Mr Yebei was not on the prosecution witness list nor was he in contact with prosecution staff at the time of his abduction.
"While local authorities are conducting further examination, the family of Mr Yebei has confirmed the identity of his body. We express our profound condolences to the family", stated Herman von Hebel, ICC Registrar.
"The Court is profoundly concerned by this grave reported incident. It stands ready to provide the local authorities with any assistance, if required, in their investigations. Ensuring the safety and security of witnesses is a cornerstone of fair trials", he added.
ICC Registry noted that it had offered Mr Yebei security measures, including a safe residency in a new location, but he returned to Eldoret where the incident took place. The ICC Registry said it is in contact with Kenyan authorities, seeking further information on the investigative steps taken at the national level.
The ICC maintained that it is strongly committed to the safety, security and well-being of all witnesses and relies on cooperation from States parties for the adequate protection of witnesses. Currently, more than 650 witnesses, victims and families' members are provided with protective measures by the Court.
Earlier, Tuesday Deputy President William Ruto through his lawyer Karim Khan confirmed that Yebei who was found murdered last week was one of his witnesses at the International Criminal Court.
