Kirinyaga, Uasin Gishu residents celebrate ICC Appeal Chamber ruling

Following the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber ruling that rejected the use of recanted testimonies in the case against Deputy President William Ruto and former KASS FM journalist Joshua Arap Sang, citizens from various quarters of the country have expressed relief.

Kirinyaga residents took to the streets to celebrate the ruling, with many expressing confidence that the crimes against humanity cases would soon collapse.

“It seems like Bensouda has come to the point where she can longer push for the continuation of the cases, she should therefore withdraw them,” a Kirinyaga resident said.

Gichugu Mp Njogu Barua said that he was overjoyed by the ruling, adding that from the very start, the ICC cases were politically instigated.

“I want to tell Bensouda that she should push for the withdrawal of the cases from the court on Monday. We as Kenyans we have work to do so that we can build this Nation,” he said.

Celebrations were also witnessed in DP Ruto’s backyard with Eldoret residents saying that the Appeal Chamber ruling was an answered prayer. Many expressed their disappointment with the court claiming that ICC showed inconsistency while handling the cases.

Ruto’s lawyer, Karim Khan, released a statement to newsrooms saying, “Today, Justice and the Rule of Law has prevailed. We look forward to the Trial Chamber’s determination of the Defence application for a judgement of acquittal which is before it and are confident that all relevant matters will be equally considered by the Trial Chamber.”

Rejecting Rule 68

The Appeals chamber faulted an earlier ruling made by the Trial Chamber on the application of Rule 68 on recanted evidence, saying that the rule could not be applied retroactively as this would not be just.

The Appeal Chamber stated that since Rule 68 was passed after the Ruto-Sang case had commenced, it could not be used as this would negatively impact the case of Ruto and Sang.

“The application of this rule affected negatively the case of Mr. Ruto and Sang. The term detriment should be interpreted broadly and not limited to rights of accused,” said presiding Judge Piotr Hofmański.

Under the rule, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda would have been allowed to present recorded testimonies in the case against Ruto and Sang.