Kenyan President and his deputy refuse to be in The Hague at the same time

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Deputy President of Kenya William Ruto has departed for the International Criminal Court to face trial on charges that he facilitated the 2007-08 postelection violence in the country. Ruto faces charges of crimes against humanity.

The 2007-08 postelection massacre is one of the most tragic incident in the history of Kenya. The locals still dread those days when over 1,000 people were brutally killed in tribe-on-tribe attacks. Ruto is allegedly held responsible for instigating the riots that led to massive bloodshed.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is also named in the same case. The court has summoned both the leaders in The Hague at the same time in November. Although Kenyatta has promised to cooperate with the ICC, he termed it impossible for both Ruto and himself to be present at The Hague at the same time. He requested the ICC to ensure that the trials do not overlap so the Kenyan leadership could also perform its constitutional duties.

Meanwhile, Kenyan radio boss Joshua Sang is facing charges of hate speech and organized killings after he aired his report on the postelection violence. The reporter is to be tried for crimes against humanity, accused of murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population, and torture and persecution of political opponents.

Sang, 38, is accused of instigation and helping organize riots. He is alleged to have spread coded messages broadcast on the radio. He is accused by ICC prosecutors of fanning violence through spreading hate messages. Sang has denied all the accusations and is ready to face trial.