Deputy President returns to The Hague Monday

By RAWLINGS OTIENO

KENYA: Deputy President William Ruto leaves the country Monday for The Hague, Netherlands, where his trial resumes Tuesday.

Ruto might be away for 18-days if he opts not to travel back over the weekends since the International Criminal Court (ICC) trial will run until October 4 when a two-week break is scheduled.

It is a critical week when the prosecution will start laying out the evidence against him. Five African nations will formally file applications supporting his quest to be excused from attending all trial sessions and a key UN meeting at which Kenyan cases will feature will open.

Ruto returned from The Hague-based ICC on Thursday after a witness hitch forced the prosecution to seek an earlier adjournment following opening of the trial.

Setback

ICC officials have since confirmed the first witness, a lady, had arrived at The Hague and will testify Tuesday.

The witness, sources told The Standard, will testify on how the arson on Kiambaa church in which 30 people were killed at the height of the 2008 post-election violence, was planned. The Standard established the prosecution had furnished the defence teams with a list of the first 11 witnesses. However, reports indicate the prosecution could have suffered another setback after four witnesses reportedly withdrew from the case.

After the scheduled adjournment on October 4, Ruto’s trial will resume on October 14 and run up to November 1.