Chief Justice Martha Koome has praised efforts to strengthen witness protection in the country, praising Kenya and South Africa as regional leaders.
“Criminal justice systems ought to put in place effective witness protection programs. These programs should be geared towards assistance, support, and facilitation of witnesses to enable them to participate effectively in the criminal justice process.”
CJ Koome made the statements at a commemoration of the Kenya Witness Protection Agency’s tenth anniversary on Friday (WPA).
On the occasion of WPA’s tenth anniversary, the Chief Justice officially opened a regional symposium on witness protection held by WPA.
The conference was themed: Harnessing shared experiences to enhance collaboration and linkages for effective witness protection in Africa.
The Witness Protection Agency in Kenya was established on September 1, 2008, under the 2006 Witness Protection Act.
Persons with critical information who are facing potential risk or intimidation as a result of their cooperation with the prosecution, the police, and other law enforcement authorities are required to receive special protection on behalf of the state.
