Ruto dwarfs Sang as he grabs all attention in court and on streets
Bishop Kiogora Magambo from Kenya (right) leads prayers for journalist Joshua arap Sang shortly before the beginning of his trial on October 16, 2013. Photo/BILLY MUTAI
What you need to know:
- In the streets, the radio presenter attracts little attention, while at the court MPs pass him by as they scramble for Ruto’s eyes and ears
- While State and AU want Uhuru and his deputy’s cases halted, ‘his can continue’
For many, Joshua arap Sang is the forgotten accused.
Even in the courtroom, presiding judge Chile Eboe-Osuji turns to his defence team last after hearing from the defence of Deputy President William Ruto, the victims lawyer and the prosecution.
On a number of occasions, Judge Eboe-Osuji has come back to Sang’s defence team as an after-thought. The judge then has to apologise profusely for failing to take note of the former broadcaster
Outside the court, Mr Sang gets his moment with Kenyan MPs and the media by arriving ahead of Mr Ruto.
However, as soon as Mr Ruto arrives, the change becomes so palpable that it is Mr Ruto they are accompanying and Mr Sang is just an appendage.
On Monday, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed also suggested that while the cases against President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto are no longer personal issues, Mr Sang could proceed with his trials.
“I like it that way,” Mr Sang said.
During breaks in the trials, Mr Sang remains close to his defence lawyers— Katwa Kigen and Kimutai Bosek or Kiptum Koech.
Mr Ruto arrives at the ICC buildings in a convoy of sleek cars, along with his usual retinue of security — including two security officers provided by the Dutch authorities, who take their positions away from the Kenyans.
“The ICC has authority inside its own premises, thus all security matters inside have to be taken care of solely by the court’s security. However, outside of the ICC premises, such matters are under the authority of the Dutch State,” ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah said in an earlier interview.
Meanwhile, a new group of MPs have arrived in The Hague to offer moral support to the deputy president during his trial.
Those who were there before left but Kericho Senator Charles Keter, who has been with Mr Ruto throughout, remained.
Those who have arrived are led by the Deputy Majority Whip Ben Washiali of UDF (Mumias) and Vincent Musyoka (Mwala). Others are Mary Emase (Teso South), Hassan Dukicha (Galole), Jacob Macharia (Molo), nominated Senator Fatuma Adan Dullo, James Bett (Kesses), Alice Wahome (Kandari) and Senator Isaac Melly (Uasin Gishu).
