Cracks emerge in DP William Ruto's ICC case

Deputy President William Ruto (right) chats with Baringo North MP William Cheptumo and Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi (centre) and other leaders after a fundraising in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County yesterday. (PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/STANDARD)

KENYA: Debate on the International Criminal Court (ICC) cases facing Deputy President William Ruto and radio journalist Joshua Arap Sang took centre stage in most public functions in the Rift Valley over the weekend.

A youth group allied to the DP’s party, United Republican Party (URP), is planning to hold a demonstration today over the little concern shown by top Government officials; signifying a growing rift between the two main Jubilee coalition partners.

Whereas the youth faulted the ICC for accepting the use of recanted evidence from previous witnesses, they took a swipe at the Attorney General Githu Muigai and other senior Government officials for doing nothing to see Mr Ruto let off the ICC hook.

“The move by the Appeal Chamber is likely to impact negatively on Ruto whom we believe is innocent and accused unlawfully. The miscarriage of justice is not acceptable and we cannot bear seeing our leader undergo such, the Government should address this issue with urgency,” said Vincent Yegon, a youth leader.

Away from the demo, leaders from the Rift Valley who spoke on separate occasions said they would urge the deputy president to stop co-operating with The Hague-based court.

The leaders said they are angered by the court’s recent decision to admit recanted statements as evidence into the trial of Mr Ruto and Mr Sang.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said time has come for them to ask the ICC hard questions because they believe the court has a predetermined decision on the outcome of the case and they are working to achieve it.

Kangaroo court

“We are now convinced more than ever that ICC exists to serve geo-political desires and neo-colonial aspirations tailored at advancing sectarian desires in the country,” stated Mr Murkomen in Tumeiyo AIC Church.

Murkomen wants the court to tell the world who is pushing it to accept recanted statements as evidence, who are the witness, who coached them and what did they say.

“If ICC does not ensure that due process takes precedence, we shall block Ruto from attending the case anymore because the court is more of a kangaroo one,” he said.

He added, “Time is coming when we shall say enough is enough and take bold steps to inform Ruto to forget the kangaroo court,” said the Elgeyo Marakwet senator.

Murkomen, a close ally of the deputy president, said they recently met as the leaders from the region and deliberated on the matter at length noting the court is now targeting a community, and they will also meet early next month to deliberate on the issue further.

“We are meeting on September 6 to discuss as a community the way forward for the ICC case ,” he claimed.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said Rift Valley has continued to enjoy peace after the 2007-08 post-election chaos and as a result, there is no need for the ICC to continue with its probe.

Not happy

“There is anxiety among the locals on the ICC’s outcome if Ruto is jailed. It will be prudent for The Hague-based court to acquit him and let peace prevail in the country,” said Mr Mandago.

Recently, Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen accused part of the Government of not treating the deputy president’s ICC case with the same vigour as the President’s.

“We are not happy, we no longer see the Attorney General taking the initiative like he did for President Kenyatta, and Government lobbying for the ICC cases has shut down; we should be working together but we do not feel that,” said Mr Bowen.