Jubilation in Eldoret as Ruto, Sang win ICC case

Residents of Eldoret Town poured into streets to celebrate the acquittal of Deputy President William Ruto and former journalist Mr Joshua arap Sang by the International Criminal Court following a successful no case to answer motion.

The two had been charged with crimes against humanity perpetrated in the 2007/8 post election violence where 1133 people were killed and over 600,000 people displaced from their homes.

The two each faced three counts of murder, deportation or forcible transfer of populations and persecution.

They were among six co-accused whose cases were withdrawn or whose charges were not confirmed including President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Cabinet minister Henry Kosgey, former commissioner of police Hussein Ali and former head of public service Francis Muthaura.

The Kenyan ICC case has been marred by claims of witness tampering and withdrawal of evidence that crippled the prosecution’s case.

In 2014, prosecutor Fatou Bensouda accused the country’s leadership of failing to cooperate with the court in its investigations.

Tweeting shortly after the ruling was made, leader of majority in the National Assembly, Aden Duale, said “Congratulations @WilliamsRuto & Joshua Arap Sang. It has been a long journey since 2010 but the truth has revealed itself. #NoCaseToAnswer”.

Like Duale, Kenyans took to social media to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the court’s ruling.

Those in support hailed the court as being fair while others blamed the court for conducting shoddy investigations.

Those who opposed the ruling said it was unfair for the victims who did not find justice after the process.