Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

Ruto didn’t incite crowds in rallies, ICC trial told

Karim Khan (standing) is the lead counsel in William Ruto's defence team. Photo/FILE

Karim Khan (standing) is the lead counsel in William Ruto’s defence team. Photo/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 9 – The second International Criminal Court witness in William Ruto’s trial has told the judges that the Deputy President did not make any inciting statements during Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) campaign rallies, ahead of the 2007 General Election.

During cross-examination, defence counsel Karim Khan detailed a series of ODM campaign rallies which the witness confirmed he attended, and that he never heard Ruto incite the crowds.

“You attended a large rally at Uhuru Park in December, 2007 , you were quite clear that was the campaign rally of the ODM, you never heard anything from William Ruto amounting to incitement, did you?” Khan asked the witness who responded with a simple ‘no.’

Khan questioned the witness regarding the testimony he had given to the court since he started giving his evidence to the court on Monday.

However, the open session that didn’t last for more than 10 minutes went yet another private session upon Khan’s request.

“I will ensure caution with this witness for a variety of reasons. There were certain matters which I could have raised in this public. I will ask for a leave for about half an hour. I don’t want to be criticised by the bench for revealing anything,” he said.

The witness completed giving his evidence on Wednesday paving way for the cross examination by the defence teams.

Before breaking into another private session on Wednesday morning, the witness was narrating to the court the events that happened at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre vote tallying centre.

Once Khan is done with cross examining witness P0326, former journalist Joshua arap Sang’s lawyer Katwa Kigen will question the witness.

The judges will also have an opportunity to question the witness.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The witness on Tuesday told the court that Ruto was the ‘King of the Rift Valley’ and even other Pentagon members witnessed his crowning ahead of the 2007 polls.

He further said Ruto was in charge of the ODM politics in Rift Valley.

Witness P0326 further told the court that Ruto was a powerful politician ahead of the 2007 General Election and his power was witnessed in the ODM campaigns in his region.

The witness also told the court that Ruto demonstrated his power of influence because he delivered 90 percent of the elective seats on an ODM ticket.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News