Kenyan Journalist Wanted for Witness Tampering to Surrender Himself to the ICC

Kenyan journalist Walter Baraza, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged witness tampering now says he will surrender himself to the Hague-based court.

Baraza was put on the wanted list after ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda claimed that he was among individuals who tampered with witnesses in the the case against Deputy President William Ruto, to ensure it collapses.

The Star reports that the trained journalist wants to surrender himself to the court, because the allegations by ICC have negatively impacted on his personal life.

“I am not even able to pay rent because nobody is ready to employ me. In Western Kenya where I come from, I am seen as a Jubilee agent,” he said.

Baraza is said to have instructed his attorneys; Kimbe Mungai, Katwa Kigen and Gatonye Waweru to make plans for his extradition to the Hague as soon as possible.

“I hope they will take note of the instructions because I have explained to them in detail a number of reasons to the effect of my desire to clear my name,” he said.

“The only way to redeem myself is to clear my name from the ICC allegations, erase the wild perceptions from the public and start life with the hope that God will grant me and my family more days,” he continued.

The Netherlands- headquartered court issued a warrant of arrest against the journalist on October 2th, 2013 accusing him of luring witnesses with millions of shillings to have them retract their testimonies against Ruto’s case against humanity.