Witness protection boxes to be introduced

Haki Yetu Community Organisation plans to introduce witness protection boxes in strategic places in urban centres in Kilifi County where victims of sexual violence can anonymously place their evidence before the matter is processed to courts.
Speaking to the press in Malindi Monday Haki Yetu Community Organisation Coordinator Ms. Trizia Gasheru said evidence in the boxes will help to have the defilement cases that were taking long in courts be speedily processed as evidence would be readily available.
Ms. Gasheru said, many defilement cases were thrown out or taking too long period before a ruling is delivered because the victims fail to defend their cases due to fear or threats from the attackers or suspects. This situation is bound to change because, with the witness boxes, the organisation will defend the victims in courts.
She also said some defilement cases from the rural areas have failed to be heard in the courts because the victims have no lawyers hence, the organisation will intervene by hiring lawyers for such cases to ensure justice was done.
By Simon Guruba