A Business Day report notes the trial of Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto for crimes against humanity - with President Uhuru Kenyatta's due to start in November - has fuelled a growing backlash against The Hague based court from some African governments. It is increasingly seen as a tool of western powers. 'The Kenyans have been crisscrossing Africa in search of support for their cause, even before their parliament voted to withdraw from the ICC,' an African Union ( AU) official said. 'An extraordinary summit will now take place to discuss the issue. A complete walkout of signatories (to the Rome Statute) is certainly a possibility, but other requests may be made.' The summit would be preceded by a meeting of African Foreign Ministers a day earlier. Kenya's spokesperson for the presidency, Manoah Esipisu, said that the country had not canvassed for the summit. But it 'welcomed the opportunity by African leaders to discuss what is obviously an important matter for the continent'. Full Business Day report (subscription needed)

Meanwhile, a woman who appeared as a protected witness in the crimes against humanity trial of Kenya's Vice-President has been named by local media and bloggers, prompting a stark warning from The Hague-based tribunal. A report on the newvision.co.ug site notes that the so-called 'Witness P0536' was the first to testify in the case against Ruto at the ICC this week. While her face was pixilated and voice distorted television viewers in Kenya began speculating on her real identity on Twitter and other social media. The ICC said it may take legal action. 'Any revelation of the identity of a witness whose identity has been protected... amounts to an offence,' said ICC presiding Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji. A 'deeply concerned' Amnesty International urged the ICC and the Kenyan authorities to take effective measures to protect the safety and well-being of this witness and her family. And the Kenyan Human Rights Commission, an independent NGO, said other witnesses could now back out of the trial. 'Now that a witness has been identified it will be difficult to assure others that they are their family members will be safe. And in Kenya, it's not just the nuclear family: there are aunts, uncles, cousins,' said spokesperson Beryl Aidi. Full report on the newvision.co.ug site

Meanwhile, Kenyatta, who is also facing trial for alleged crimes against humanity, is scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly next week, but has yet to confirm he will do so. 'He is scheduled to attend. A decision will be taken at the weekend,' said presidential spokesperson Manoah Esipisu. A report on the News24 site notes that he is due to appear in November at the ICC for his alleged role in the violence that followed the disputed 2007 elections, in which more than 1 100 people were killed and several hundred thousand displaced. While he has so far co-operated with the court, the ICC case has caused some diplomatic awkwardness - most notably when US President Barrack Obama skipped Kenya during his African tour this year. Full report on the News24 site