Ruto departs for The Hague ahead of trial resumption

Deputy President William Ruto departs for The Hague, Netherlands.

By Standard Digital Reporter

Deputy President William Ruto Monday morning departed for The Hague in Netherlands ahead of resumption of trial on Tuesday.

Ruto facing crimes against humanity charges returned to Kenya Thursday last week after the International Criminal Court (ICC) Presiding Judge Chille Eboe-Osuji adjourned the trials due to witness hitch.

The first prosecution witness, a lady, is expected to take stand on Tuesday.

Sources told The Standard that she will testify on how the arson attack on Kiambaa Church in which 30 people were killed at the height of 2007/2008 post-election violence was planned.

The deputy president might be away for 18-days if he opts not travel back over the weekends since the ICC trial will run until October 4, when a two-week break is scheduled.

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

Mr Ruto, President Uhuru Kenyatta, and former radio journalist Joshua Sang are accused of orchestrating violence after elections in 2007, and are being tried separately at The Hague.

Mr Ruto becomes the first serving official to appear at the ICC.

The two trials are seen as a crucial test of the ICC's ability to prosecute political leaders.