Ruto and Sang cases to resume amid rift

The trial of Deputy President William Ruto and former radio journalist Joshua arap Sang is set to resume today in The Hague after a two-week break.

Three witnesses P-464, P-409, and P-323, have been lined up by the prosecution to testify, as they seek to prove that the duo played a major role in the 2007/8 post-election violence.

Witness P-464 or Mr Herve Maupeu, is a European-based expert, who is expected to provide the historical roots of the violence.

The Deputy President and Mr Sang are facing charges of murder, deportation and persecution in relation to the violence that led to the deaths of more than 1,000 people with at least 650,000 others being rendered homeless.

But before this happens, the International Criminal Court judges will grant Deputy Prosecutor James Stewart time to respond to Attorney General Githu Muigai’s last week’s submissions on a motion that would have compelled the government to produce seven witnesses who recanted their testimony.

Last week, Prof Muigai said if the witnesses were not willing to testify, then they will not assist the prosecution to facilitate their appearance in court.

Prof Muigai said the court should not contemplate issuing an order for Kenya to summon the witnesses as this violates the Rome Statute.

AG’S FIGHT

The defence teams for Mr Ruto led by lawyer Karim Khan and Mr Sang who is represented by Mr Katwa Kigen have also opposed the motion.
They described the motion as “inconsistent with the Rome Statute and Kenyan law.

The two lawyers will also be granted time to make their submissions on the motion.

The prosecution had requested the trial chamber to exercise its powers to summon witnesses who have recanted their testimony.