Our son will prove his innocence, Joshua arap Sang’s parents say

By Osinde Obare and Titus Too

“Our son is innocent. He was framed and we pray that the court will drop the charges against him,” were words from radio journalist Mr Joshua arap Sang’s parents.

Sang’s parents Mr Kipsang Keter and Ms Emmy Keter say they have rested the case against their son on God and hope that the truth will be told over the post-election violence at the end of the trial.

The journalist is charged alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto with crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court and will travel to The Hague, Netherlands for the trial that kicks off on Tuesday.  

At their home in Seum village Trans-Nzoia County, the elderly couple defended their son against any wrongdoing and were optimistic that he is going to prove his innocence.

“Our son never participated in the violence and when the violence broke out across the country he was at Kass studios preaching peace and pleading with Kenyans not to block the roads and not to kill each other,” said a troubled Kipsang, 81.

The couple said that when the violence broke out in the country, they keenly monitored the situation through Kass radio where their son was a presenter.

“When the violence began we spent most of the time listening to Kass radio and Sang was advocating for peace and there is no time we heard that he incited one community against another one,” the father said.

Expressing optimism that justice will prevail, the parents said they are not fearful of the outcome of the case.

Rendered jobless

“There is no fear in us. We know the charges were framed up against our son but if he indeed participated in any crime then it is only God who knows,” added Kipsang.

Urging for transparency in the delivery of justice at The Hague Sang’s mother described her sixth born as an honest and disciplined person.

“Sang is a well manned person amongst my children. We have never had any problem with him since his childbirth and we were shocked when he was named as a suspect of PEV,” said Emmy.

Emmy who The Standard on Sunday found supervising Sang’s worker on his dairy farm, appeared disturbed by her son’s predicament.

 While admitting that the post-election violence was a serious crime, Emmy however said that the bait to trap perpetrators of the violence had landed on innocent people.

“The ICC trap landed on my innocent son. I urge the Judges to give a fair trial and subsequent judgment on the PEV,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sang spoke on his tribulations after ICC indictment as he left Saturday for The Hague for the trial.

Sang said the case has rendered him jobless and travelling to The Hague has also affected his young family.

“I left my employment because of the allegations that I incited and coordinated the violence, which is not true. I will stand by the truth,” he said.

In an interview, he however, did not want to state whether he was sacked at Kass FM where he worked as head of programmes or he resigned.

“I have a young family back at home with my eldest child in class four while another in baby class. I know they will be asking their mother where is dad for the period I will be away,” he said.

Sang added that he cannot travel with the young family but some of his friends have promised to accompany him. He did not give their identities.

His father said the case has been a burden to the family but expressed confidence that his son will be cleared of any wrong doing.

Sang’s mother Emmy, brothers led by Mr Daniel Sang, relatives, friends and villagers said they would pray for Sang ahead of the trial.

Sang’s mother said: “I wish this trip will be the last and the issue comes to an end this time round. We have prayed for him as he travels”.

During the church function, clerics and residents also prayed for President Kenyatta and his deputy.