Kericho, Bomet, Nyeri residents hold prayers for DP William Ruto and Sang

Kericho and Bomet residents on Saturday held inter-denominational prayers for Deputy President William Ruto and Mr Joshua arap Sang ahead of a crucial ruling by the International Criminal Court on Tuesday.

The elderly and the youth attended the prayers, led by Pastor Wesley Cheruiyot.

The pair, charged with committing crimes against humanity during the 2007/8 post-election violence, will know their fate in the no-case-to-answer application.

If the trial chamber judges uphold their arguments and find that Mr Ruto and Mr Sang have no case to answer, the crimes against humanity charges they are facing could be dropped.

Boito Ward United Republican Party Secretary-General Bernard Sang said he was confident that Mr Ruto and Mr Sang were would be acquitted.

“God is on our side and we are looking forward to a good ruling. We believe our brothers neither masterminded nor sponsored the violence,” he said.

The URP official added that residents were preparing to hold celebrations after Tuesday’s ruling.

Mr Benson Rono, a resident, called on Kenyans to join them in the prayers as he also expressed optimism that the cases would crumble.

Last week, the ICC announced that there would be no hearing and that its decision would be relayed to Mr Ruto and Mr Sang in writing.

ACQUITTAL

Meanwhile, religious leaders from Nyeri County on Sunday prayed for the acquittal of Mr Ruto and Mr Sang.

They also asked members of their congregation to fast for two days as the The Hague-based court prepared to deliver the ruling in the no-case-to-answer motion.

At New Life Church, Bishop Paul Wanjohi said there was need to hold prayers since the ruling would mean a lot to the country and families of the two men.

“I know these two have been spending sleepless nights. Mr Ruto needs prayers since he is the deputy president. Things cannot move in the right direction if he is still considered a suspect,” he said.

At Itundu Catholic Church, Fr Peter Githinji led the congregation in a three-minute silence prayer.

He also asked worshippers to pray for the country’s unity, adding that the ruling could greatly affect the Kenya’s stability and peace.

“We need to pray for the two since everyone can land into problems,” he said.

He said the hope was that the two would be freed “just like the other four post-election violence suspects”.

Archdeacon Francis Kariuki of the African Independent Pentecostal Church led a church service at Murera Coffee Estate in Kiambu.

He dedicated 30 minutes of prayers to the two.

“Victory is in the hands of God and we pray the ICC judges will free them,” he said.

Elders also held prayers at Gikuyu and Mumbi Cultural Museum, Nyeri.