Ruto’s lawyers are expected on Wednesday to beef up arguments as to why the case should be dropped/FILE
Senior Trial Attorney Anton Steynberg demonstrated to the court the alleged criminal liability of Ruto and Sang citing preparatory planning meetings and activities of a network established ahead of the 2007 General Election, with their involvement.
“The evidence as it currently stands supports the existence of six preparatory meetings.”
He alleged that three of the meetings took place at Ruto’s Sugoi home and key leaders in the area were in attendance.
According to Steynberg, Ruto was the leader of the group and used his authority to manage operations of the network.
“It shows Ruto’s authority to issue instructions and tasks to other members of the network which the prosecution says establishes his position as the head of the network,” Steynberg said.
In attempts to demonstrate the network’s contribution to the crimes committed during the 2007-8 Post Election Violence, Steynberg explained that Rift Valley bore the highest brunt of the number of deaths and injuries recorded.
Out of the over 1,333 people killed in the country, he said, Rift Valley accounted for more than half of the deaths.
“CIPEV report concludes that the Rift Valley was the epicentre of the violence where 64 percent of the deaths occurred. Seven hundred and forty four out of the 1,333 people killed occurred in Rift Valley,” he stated.
The court further heard that young Kalenjin men were recruited, trained by retired security officers, armed and given instructions to attack supporters of the Party of National Unity and Kikuyus living in the area.
According to Steynberg, the prosecution in its evidence had demonstrated that the network had a common plan which was acted upon.
He explained that the attacks were carried out by civilians recruited to attack fellow civilians using bows and arrows and also burning victims and setting houses on fire.
The prosecution submitted that the evidence presented was adequate to prove the criminal responsibility of Ruto and Sang hence the case should move to the defence level for them to answer to charges of murder, forcible transfer of populations and persecution.
Defence teams are expected to submit their oral submission of their motion of no-case-answer once the prosecution concludes its submissions.
The current hearing will continue until Friday.
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