Kenya accused over Rwanda suspect

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The Kenyan authorities have denied shielding the man alleged to have financed the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

The Rwanda tribunal's persecutor said Kenya had made no progress in hunting down Felicien Kabuga and they believed he was still in Kenya.

But a government spokesman said they had no reason to shield Mr Kabuga - who has a $5m bounty on his head.

"As far as the government is aware, Kabuga is not in Kenya," Alfred Mutua told local media.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has grown increasingly frustrated with Kenya for its failure to arrest the wealthy 71-year-old Hutu businessman.

Felicien Kabuga is accused of paying for machetes, food and other equipment used by Hutus in their massacres, and by providing money for the Mille Collines radio station which incited people to kill Tutsis.

Bribes

Speaking after two days of talks with officials in Nairobi, ICTR chief prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow said their information showed "he visits or he resides and carries out business in this country".

He said Mr Kabuga had undoubtedly been given protection by some officials from Kenya's former government under Daniel arap Moi.

Mr Kabuga was reportedly tipped off in 1998 by police just before a raid on a house in Nairobi. Kenya's government deny they are still protecting him.

"Making allegations that the wanted war criminal has bribed officials to hide him is simplistic," said Mr Matua.

Some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered in just 100 days.

The ICTR has tried 31 people alleged to have been involved in the genocide; five have been acquitted and 26 convicted.

It is due to be disbanded in 2010.