Uhuru, Ruto ask for different ICC dates

Deputy President William Ruto and broadcaster Joshua arap Sang want their trial at the International Criminal Court held at different times with that of President Kenyatta in a move aimed at avoiding a vacuum in the country’s leadership.

The matter was raised on Monday at a status conference that had been convened to discuss among other issues, the duration of the prosecution case and the average time witnesses should take while giving their testimonies.

Lawyer Katwa Kigen, for Mr Sang, said according to the schedule of the hearings, they had realised that come November, the court will have the difficult task of conducting the two trials simultaneously.

Mr Ruto and Mr Sang’s trial is set to commence on September 10 while that of President Kenyatta will begin on November 12.

The three face crimes against humanity charges for their alleged role in the 2007-2008 post-election violence in which 1,133 people died and at least 650,000 others were rendered homeless.

The lawyer proposed that the two cases be held on a three-week alternating period.

Presiding judge Chile Eboe-Osuji asked the parties involved in the trial to give their views on the proposal.

Mr Ruto’s lawyer, Mr Karim Khan, said: We support the proposal by Mr Kigen.” A representative from the prosecutor’s office also said he had no objection to the request.

CONSULTATION TIME

However, Judge Eboe-Osuji said the chamber could not make an immediate ruling on the matter as it needed further consultation with the judges set to preside over the trial of President Kenyatta.

“This is a matter that this chamber cannot resolve on its own. We shall consult with the judges in the second case and make a resolution which will be communicated in due course,” he said.