Witnesses deny claims that violence was planned at Ruto home

What you need to know:

  • Former GSU boss Samson Cherambos defends William Ruto against charges relating to the post-election mayhem

The first Kenyan witnesses to appear before the International Criminal Court Pre-Trial Chamber II on Saturday took to the stand to defend Eldoret North MP William Ruto, who is facing charges relating to the post-election violence.

A former commandant of the elite General Service Unit, Mr Samson Cherambos, named by the prosecution as one of the three commanders of the military wing of a network said to be responsible for violence in the Rift Valley, denied ever visiting Mr Ruto’s Sugoi home in Eldoret North constituency and attending any meetings to plan violence.

The prosecution focused on Mr Cherambos’ training as a paramilitary and police officer and whether he knew how to coordinate movement of personnel, distribution of arms and organise road blocks.

Second witness

The second witness was Mr Henry Kiptoo Murei, chairman of a government-backed peace committee set up in Eldoret, who also described himself as a farmer, part-time preacher and neighbour of Mr Ruto. He confirmed attending four meetings in Mr Ruto’s Sugoi home during the 2007 election campaign period but denied that any of the meetings was to plan for violence.

Mr Murei admitted that he had signed a statement written by one of Mr Ruto’s lawyers, Mr Katwa Kigen. Presiding Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova ordered Mr Kigen to produce the two statements before the chamber. (READ: ICC judges question Kigen conduct)

Mr Kigen confirmed that he was present when the witness recorded a statement with another lawyer who has since been made a judge in Kenya. He pledged to deliver the statements by Wednesday.

Mr Cherambos, 64, who comes from Aldai constituency, denied allegations that he hosted one of the meetings at which the attacks in the Rift Valley were planned.

A former commander of the Presidential Escort “for a good three years,” Mr Cherambos retired in August 2002, about four months before President Daniel arap Moi left power.

Responding to questions by a prosecutor, Mr Cherambos said he had never been to Mr Ruto’s home, adding that he first met the MP after his election in 1997 and subsequent appointment as a Cabinet minister.

“I have never, never stepped in his compound or been to his house at any given time,” Mr Cherambos said.

He said he knew Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey longer, as he had served in the Moi government longer than Mr Ruto. He added that he first heard Joshua arap Sang on the radio three years ago before meeting him in person last year.

Mr Cherambos described Mr Sang as a good journalist and defended him against allegations that he had incited members of the Kalenjin community to attack Kikuyus, Kambas and Kisiis.

The former policeman, who rose to the rank of senior deputy commissioner, appeared irritated at some point during cross-examination by the prosecutor.

He mixed up the year in which he said he met Mr Ruto, initially putting it as June 26, 2010 but later emphasising that it was the same date in 2009.

Mr Cherambos told the court that while he knew both former Army Commander Lt-Gen John Koech and Lt-Gen Augustine Cheruiyot, neither has ever been to his home in Aldai.

The prosecution has alleged that eight meetings to plan attacks were held at Mr Ruto’s home in Sugoi, Eldoret North, Mr Cherambos’ home and various political rallies in Uasin Gishu and Nandi districts.

But Mr Cherambos denied this. “No meeting was held at my home in December 2007. And none of the people were in my house in 2007... I have never been to Ruto’s place and this cannot be testified by anybody,” the witness said.

However, he said he met Mr Ruto at a shopping centre called Kaptumo in Aldai during the campaigns ahead of the 2007 poll, but they neither spoke nor shook hands.

The former GSU boss also appeared to stutter when responding to questions about how he came to know of the case at the ICC and his alleged involvement. He said he first read about it “in the papers” in 2008 and later spoke to lawyer Katwa Kigen, who told him about the allegations that he hosted a meeting to plan attacks in 2007.

“When I received the information, I said, as a Christian, I would give evidence before the International Criminal Court. I was not asked to do it,” he said.

“When Katwa (Kigen) said it was alleged I had hosted meetings at my place, and the issue of meetings came up, I said I would testify about what transpired at my place, which is not what the allegations say,” he added.

Prosecutor: Did you meet Mr Ruto in November 2007?

Cherambos: No.

Prosecutor: Did you attend a meeting at the Sirikwa Hotel?

Cherambos: No.

Prosecutor: Do you remember attending any meetings in 2007?

Cherambos: Where?

Prosecutor: Did you have any meetings with Ruto?

Cherambos: I don’t remember any meetings with Ruto. I don’t remember.

Prosecutor: December 6?

I don’t remember attending any meetings with Ruto or Kosgey.

Prosecutor: Where were you on December 6?

Cherambos: I must have been at home. As a small farmer and retiree, I don’t keep a record of what I do every day. When I say I was at home, I don’t mean I was just sitting at home.

Prosecutor: December 14? Same question.

Cherambos: I said I can’t remember

Prosecutor: December 16?

Cherambos: I can’t remember.

Prosecutor: You don’t remember where you were or who you were with?

Cheramboss: I can’t.

Follow the proceedings via live video stream and live text blogging here: www.nation.co.ke/ICCLive