News
Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto pleads not guilty to ICC charges
Late last, Kenyatta and Ruto joined forces for another presidential election, which was very successful. Their joint Jubilee Alliance ticket was elected in March after a campaign in which the ICC charges against the two men played a central role.
Western nations, who see a stable Kenya as central to the fight against militant Islam, have already found their ties with east Africa’s biggest economy complicated by the charges.
Ruto, is voluntarily obeying a summons to attend sessions, and was accompanied by several supporters.
The court’s public gallery was packed with dozens of Kenyan lawmakers who had traveled to The Hague in a show of solidarity with their deputy president.
In laying out the case, prosecutor Bensouda said Sang had used his prime-time radio show to pass messages to a network that was behind the violence. The broadcaster shook his head and smiled at his lawyer as Bensouda spoke.
The cases may have helped Ruto and Kenyatta into office as campaigners rallied nationalist support by accusing the court and western nations of meddling in the country.
The violence shattered almost shattered Kenya’s reputation as one of Africa’s most stable countries – however, the country has made great strides forward and is presently one of Africa’s fastest growing economies.
