President Ruto’s case is dismissed by ICC

President Ruto’s case is dismissed by the ICC

President Ruto’s case is dismissed by the ICC

The International Criminal Court said on Monday that it is completing its  investigations into six suspects from Kenya who are charged with committing  crimes against humanity following the 2007 presidential election. Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan withdrew from the case, and ICC Deputy Prosecutor  Nazhat Shameem Khan announced that she had made her decision based on her  assessment of the information at hand.

I have made the decision to wrap up the investigative phase of the Situation in Kenya after carefully reviewing all the evidence that is now at my disposal. Part of the statement said, “I have reached this decision after considering the specific facts and circumstances of this Situation.”

Six suspects, including President William Ruto, were at the time charged with  organizing political violence following the contentious results of the presidential  election. The others were radio host Joshua Arap Sang, former head of public service  Francis Muthaura, former inspector general Mohammed Hussein Ali, former  minister  Henry Kosgey, and former president Uhuru Kenyatta. Since 2010, the prosecution has withdrawn or discontinued all of the accused  individuals’ cases, citing a lack of evidence and witness interference.

However, the Hague-based court noted that the charges against Walter Barasa and Philip Bett—who are presently at large—who were charged with interfering with witnesses are still pending.The court went on to say that although it will not seek new cases against witnesses, it still has the power to take action in response to information of witness retaliation.

The court pursued Barasa and Bett when it was determined through investigations that they had tampered with witnesses.Paul Gicheru, the late president Ruto’s attorney, was also charged with influencing witnesses.

Under unknown circumstances, Gicheru passed away in September 2022 at his home in Karen, Nairobi County.The passing of the late lawyer made inquiries even more difficult. Gicheru had already testified in front of the court.