International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda claims the fall of her case against Deputy President William Ruto and former radio journalist Joshua arap Sang was the result of a perfect storm of witness interference and politicization even as it remained unclear whether she intends to appeal the majority decision or seek ways of reintroducing the charges afresh.
Responding to the decision, Bensouda tweeted that the “case against Ruto et al was eroded by perfect storm of witness interference & politicisation.” She alleged that the intimidation of witnesses was “methodical, far-reaching, & exceptionally well-resourced.”
President of the International Federation for Human Rights, Karim Lahidji, also blamed witness interference for the collapse of the case. “The persisting impunity in Kenya prevails over accountability and continuously fails the victims of the atrocities committed during the post-election violence,” he was quoted as saying by the Irin news agency.
However, both Ruto and Sang have celebrated the success of their no-case-to-answer motion, saying it was the end of a prosecution bid that was firmed on false evidence.
“Hallelujah! God is great. Our God is Faithful,” Ruto posted on Twitter following the dismissal of the charges.
The move sparked celebtrations at the DP’s Karen residence where he had been joined by, among others, Sang and his wife Rachel to await the verdict. Rachel was mobbed and hugged by women when the news of termination of the case against her husband was made.
Focusing on the future
And speaking at the Weston Hotel in Nairobi, where he later joined friends and family to celebrate his freedom, Sang said: “The lies have gone, now I have my freedom. That is all that matters. Thank You God. Thank you Kenya. Thank you President Uhuru Kenyatta.”
President Uhuru has also said that Kenya must be allowed to heal, reconcile and look into the future with hope without being dragged into the past.
Expressing his joy following the collapse of the cases against Ruto and Sang at the ICC, President Uhuru, who is on a tour of France and Germany, said the country’s focus now shifts to consolidating peace, progress, stability and unity.
“Peace, progress, stability, health, education and opportunity for our young people now should be our focus, our goal and objective,” said President Uhuru, who was accompanied by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.
He added: “Kenya has been vindicated. We said the truth will eventually surface. And today the truth has surfaced.”
President Uhuru emphasised that Kenyans must be given space to work together to ensure justice for the 2007-2008 post election violence but history should not be allowed to prevent them from achieving the country’s development goals.
“Justice is not achieved by doing injustice to another Kenyan. We must get justice but not through a second injustice,” President Uhuru, who also had a separate case against him dismissed for lack of witnesses, said.
A thanksgiving service will be held at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, which President Uhuru said would be an opportunity for prayers for “healing, reconciliation and unity of Kenya as we push on the path of inclusive prosperity for all”.
Politicians from across the political divide have been united in welcoming the ICC ruling.
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