William Ruto returns from The Hague

PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI Deputy President William Ruto and his daughter leave the International Criminal Court in The Hague on October 15, 2013.

What you need to know:

  • Mr Ruto will be in charge of government affairs until Wednesday as President Uhuru Kenyatta begins a three-day official visit to South Africa
  • Presiding judge Chile Eboe-Osuji said that the decision to grant the request was unanimous

Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday returned to the country from The Hague after the International Criminal Court on Friday excused him from attending his trial this week.

The plane carrying Mr Ruto touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 6:30 am.

Mr Ruto will be in charge of government affairs until Wednesday as President Uhuru Kenyatta begins a three-day official visit to South Africa. The Trial Chamber V (a) also allowed Mr Ruto to miss the sittings on Thursday and Friday as he will be chairing a refugee and drought meeting in Nairobi. (READ: Uhuru to leave for SA as Ruto jets in to run State affairs)

Reasons for Mr Ruto's excusal will be provided on Monday. Presiding judge Chile Eboe-Osuji said that the decision to grant the request was unanimous. “The Chamber has deliberated on the Ruto request,” Mr Osuji said on Friday. “The chamber unanimously grants the request.”

However, the chamber on Friday rejected Joshua Sang’s application to be allowed to attend his daughter’s graduation.

The Deputy President was received by Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu, senior government officials and Members of Parliament led by house majority leader Aden Duale.