ICC "Ocampo Six" ruling: Kibaki Issues satetment

ICC: Ocampo four

By Rateng'
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed charges against Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Head of Civil Service Mr. Francis Muthaura and Journalist Joshua Sang. The ruling was delivered by the ICC judge Ekaterina Trendafilova at The Hague Monday.

Presenting the ruling, the Judge said the court was satisfied with Lois Moreno Ocampo’s evidence against Ruto and Sang in Turbo, Kapsabet, Eldoret and Nandi Hills. She further stated that Sang and Ruto were to face charges for “crimes against humanity, murder, deportation, forcible transfer and persecution” that led to the death of hundreds of civilians. Uhuru and Muthaura faces charges of "crimes against humanity, specifically murder, deportation, rape and persecution".

Two Ocampo suspects had their cases dropped when the court declared the evidence against them not enough to sustain the charges earlier levelled against them. The two are former Commissioner of Police Maj-Gen (Rtd) Hussein Ali and Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey.

Reactions galore immediately after the ruling with Kass FM radio presenter Joshua Sang expressing disappointment that the ICC had confirmed the charges against him. Mr Sang said “the court has spoken. I strongly disagree with its findings and I shall invoke all available legal means to contest the conclusions made both in the immediate and in the long term”. He further said “I take this confirmation as a test on my faith and I entrust my destiny to God, in whom I have faith in an ultimate acquittal and vindication. I pray to God to guide my advocate’s plan for my defence.”

Eldoret North MP William Ruto said the charges were strange to him and announced that despite the developments at the ICC, he will remain focused on his presidential bid. “I am persuaded and clear in my mind that however long it takes, the truth will prevail, my innocence confirmed and the devil put to shame.” According to his analysis, Ruto confirmed that the current constitution of Kenya allows him to contest for the Presidency despite the pending court case. “To my friends and supporters, I wish to categorically state that I am firmly in the race and to my worthy competitors let us meet at the ballot and may the will of Kenyans prevail,” said Ruto.

Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta reiterated his innocence and insisted that he was innocent of the charges of crimes against humanity that the ICC preferred against him. Uhuru said “I would like to reiterate before the people of Kenya and before the entire world that my conscience is clear, has been clear and will always remain clear that I am innocent of all the accusations that have been leveled against me”.

On his part, Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki ordered Attorney General Prof Githu Muigai to form a legal team to advise the Government on how to respond to the ICC ruling.