Ruto, Sang in the dock over ‘07 post-election killings
Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto speaks with broadcaster Joshua Arap Sang ( R ) in the courtroom before their trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on September 10, 2013. Both face charges of co-orchestrating a post-election bloodbath five years ago; could face long prison terms if convicted. PHOTO | AFP
What you need to know:
- Both are charged with multiple counts of murder and with facilitating the persecution, mass deportation and forced evictions of the Kikuyu in the Rift Valley region of Kenya.
- At the core of the violence are highly complex historical differences over tribal affiliations and land ownership.
The Hague. The trial against Kenyan Vice President William Ruto and alleged co-conspirator Joshua Arap Sang opened yesterday at the International Criminal Court in The Netherlands.
Mr Ruto and radio executive Arap Sang face multiple charges of crimes against humanity.
The ICC accuses them of orchestrating violence after the 2007 general election – allegations they both deny.
Both are specifically charged with multiple counts of murder and with facilitating the persecution, mass deportation and forced evictions of the Kikuyu in the Rift Valley region of Kenya.
Over 1000 people were killed and 600,000 forced to flee their homes following brutal clashes in the aftermath of the highly contentious December ‘07 elections.
At the core of the violence are highly complex historical differences over tribal affiliations and land ownership.
In a briefing before the ICC, senior trial attorney Anton Steynberg argued Mr Ruto leveraged his influence in the Kalenjin community to exploit this ethnic rift.
ICC prosecutors accuse the Kenyan VP of using vitriolic talk to stir animosity against the Kikuyu - a rival community - culminating in the violence that lead to hundreds of deaths and to thousands becoming internally displaced.
Mr Sang is accused of being “Mr Ruto's mouth piece,” using his radio station to spread anti-Kikuyu rhetoric and help direct violent attacks using coded messages.
The ICC further alleges in his zeal against the Kikuyu, Mr Ruto provided funding for weapons and for other resources to help ‘facilitate’ their expulsion from the Rift Valley.
Notes the ICC’s Mr Steynberg: “Mr. Ruto was the ultimate controlling hand. He supplied weapons and finances.”
In an earlier statement, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda leveled allegations of witness intimidation and bribery against the Kenyatta administration.
“This trial is a result of a long and trying process,” she said. “Many witnesses have been too scared, others withdrawing from the case.”
She accuses the Kenyan government of systemic stonewalling and of failing to take corrective legal action in the wake of the 2007 clashes.
