Deputy President William Ruto arrives from The Hague

DPPS

NAIROBI, KENYA: Deputy President William Ruto this morning returned to the country after the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague adjourned following a witness hitch.

Mr. Ruto who was accompanied by his wife Rachel will continue with his state duties before returning to the Netherlands next week.

The Deputy President flew out of the country Monday morning to attend his trial at The Hague.

Present at the JKIA to to receive him were labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi, Senate majority leader Professor Kithure Kindiki, Elgeyo/Marakwet Senator who is also chairman of the Senate Committee on Devolved Government Kipchumba Murkomen and Centre for Multiparty Democracy chairman Omingo Magara.

While at The Hague, the Deputy President and co-accused, journalist Joshua arap Sang pleaded 'not guilty' to charges of murder, deportation (forcible transfer) and persecution of people in Kenya's 2007-8 poll violence, all constituting crimes against humanity.

The charges were read out by ICC Presiding Judge Eboe-Osuji.

But the Deputy President's lead lawyer Karim Khan faulted the manner in which the investigations that led to the confirmation of charges against Mr. Ruto were conducted.

The lawyer slammed at the trial as injudicious, citing plans to adjourn, barely a day after it started.

The defense team claimed that the court's Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda had inherited a flawed case from her predecessor Moreno Ocampo and was eager to hold on any version, any account and any story to ensure that the case remained afloat.

Seeking adjournment in the case, Bensouda said the unidentified witness was traveling from an undisclosed location elsewhere in Europe and was expected to arrive at The Hague on Thursday.

Monday is a public holiday in the Netherlands so the court will reconvene next Tuesday.