Eldoret North MP William Ruto (left) addresses a news conference at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before departing for The Hague on August 30, 2011. He is flanked by the Trade minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere JENNIFER MUIRURI
By DAVE OPIYO dopiyo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, August 30 2011 at 10:07
Posted Tuesday, August 30 2011 at 10:07
Eldoret North MP William Ruto left the country Tuesday to attend the confirmation of charges hearings at The Hague saying that his case was based on falsehoods.
Mr Ruto, together with five others has been implicated in the 2007/2008 post-election violence and is expected to defend himself at the hearings scheduled to start on Thursday at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The others are: Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey, head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, Postmaster General Hussein Ali and radio presenter Joshua arap Sang.
Mr Ruto, who was seen off by Trade minister Chirau Mwakwere and former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara, said he was shocked by the lies that have seen him head to The Hague.
“I am amazed by the extent to which falsehood and conspiracy have been employed to have my name tarnished,” said Mr Ruto.
"It is unfortunate that I have been forced to make several trips to The Hague not to look for investments for my constituents or the country but to defend myself against lies.”
He was accompanied by his wife Rachael, MPs Charles Keter, Zakayo Cheruiyot and two witnesses he intends to call for his defence.
He asked Kenyans to continue praying for him that he be cleared against all the charges levelled against him.
“I have been touched by the prayers that they have offered me and my family…I humbly ask them to stay on course,” said the former Higher Education minister.
Mr Ruto has been accused of planning and organising crimes against supporters of President Kibaki's Party of National Unity.
At The Hague, he is set to fight off charges that together with Mr Kosgey hecommanded, financed and armed an unnamed Kalenjin terror network.
ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo will be arguing that Mr Ruto and Mr Kosgey held at least nine preparatory meetings to lay the groundwork for the attacks.
In the Document Containing Charges (DCC) filed by Moreno-Ocampo, he claims that the two MPs and Sang hatched a plot to punish and expel PNU supporters from specified areas in the North Rift region under a ‘common plan’ which had a military command structure, logistical approach, and precision in execution.
Mr Sang left the country for The Hague on Sunday while Mr Kosgey left on Monday.
The confirmation of charges hearings for Mr Kenyatta, Mr Muthaura and Major General Ali are scheduled to start on September 21.
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