ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda withdraws charges against President Uhuru Kenyatta

President Uhuru, DP Ruto with members of the National Security Council at State House. (PHOTO: PSCU)

ICC has withdrawn criminal charges against President Uhuru Kenyatta.

In a statement the court said in light of the Trial Chamber's December 3 “Decision on Prosecution's application for a further adjournment”, the Prosecution withdraws the charges against Mr Kenyata.

The court said the evidence has not improved to such an extent that Mr Kenyata’s alleged criminal responsibility can be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

For this reason, and in light of the Trial Chamber’s rejection of the Prosecution’s request for an adjournment until the Government of Kenya complies with its co-operation obligations under the Rome Statute, the Prosecution withdraws its charges.

As noted by the Trial Chamber, this withdrawal is without prejudice to the possibility of bringing new charges against Mr Kenyatta “at a later date, based on the same or similar factual circumstances, should [the Prosecution] obtain sufficient evidence to support such a course of action.