Kalenjins forced William Ruto to support Raila Odinga, says ICC witness

Deputy President William Ruto and his lead counsel Karim Khan in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday.  [PHOTO: TABITHA OTWORI/STANDARD]

By MWANIKI MUNUHE and FELIX OLICK

THE HAGUE: The ninth prosecution witness at The Hague narrated how the Kalenjin community forced Deputy President William Ruto to support the candidature of CORD leader Raila Odinga in the 2007 presidential race.

The witness said prominent Rift Valley politicians attended the meeting during which Ruto was told that Kalenjins would support Raila instead of former President Mwai Kibaki.

The witness, testifying against Ruto yesterday, told the court that the deputy president made tremendous effort to convince the Kalenjin community that Raila was not the right candidate without success.

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The witness alleged that journalist Joshua arap Sang was the master of ceremony during the event that was attended by among others, former Information Minister Samuel Poghisio, and former Marakwet East MP Linah Jebii Kilimo.

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The witness further told the court that Ruto’s co-accused Sang used his radio programme to criticise those who were not supporting the political position taken by Ruto.

The witness further claimed that in the same programme, Sang spread hate messages on politicians who had been invited to the studio but ended up not supporting ODM.

According to the witness, Sang would also use abusive language against callers who did not support ODM. He also told the court that veteran Eldoret politician Jackson Kibor did not support until after 2002. Additionally, he claimed that Kibor served as the chairman of Kanu before 1997 after which he lost the position.

Here is a transcript of the court proceedings:

GARCIA: Can you please tell us how many people were at the ceremony?

WITNESS: They were many people, Your Honour.

GARCIA: Can you tell us approximately; were they more than a hundred or less than a hundred?

WITNESS: Not a hundred, thousands.

GARCIA: And can you tell us what kind of people attended this ceremony?

WITNESS: They were Kalenjins.

GARCIA: I understand that they were Kalenjins but can you tell us what Kalenjins exactly; were they normal people or other kinds of people. Can you give us more of this description?

WITNESS: Majority were common citizens.

GARCIA: What about the remaining Kalenjins?

WITNESS: They were politicians.

GARCIA: Can you name a few politicians that were present at the meeting?

WITNESS: You honour, I remember person number one and I remember also… can I say the names?

GARCIA: Yes you can say the names.

WITNESS: I remember also seeing Poghisio and Ms Kilimo.

GARCIA: And who is Phogisio?

WITNESS: He was the Member of Parliament for Kapenguria.

GARCIA: And who was she (Ms Kilimo)?

WITNESS: She was Member of Parliament for Marakwet.

GARCIA: Can you tell us of what ethnicity she is?

WITNESS: She is a Kalenjin.

GARCIA: And the person you mentioned initially, Phogisio, of what ethnicity is he?

WITNESS: He is a Kalenjin.

GARCIA: You have said that person number one was there as well, is that correct?

WITNESS: Yes.

GARCIA: Do you recall what he was doing during that ceremony?

WITNESS: I want to say that even person number 24 was there.

GARCIA: Thank you for that Mr Witness but returning to person number one, do you remember what he was doing if anything?

WITNESS: I remember him speaking or addressing the gathering.

GARCIA: Do you remember what he was telling the gathering?

WITNESS: He was not speaking directly to the gathering but he was speaking directly to Ruto and he was telling him that if he is not going to join the people, the people have left.

GARCIA: Can you explain to us what that means?

WITNESS: Ruto had called the people so as to discuss the way forward on whom he was going to support. Ruto was still not sure whether to support Raila at that time but the Kalenjin community had decided to support Raila. Even former Roads Minister Franklin Bett was there I remember.

It was person number one and person number 24 who were telling Ruto that people have left. I Remember them even saying that people have reached Kapsabet on their way to Kisumu.

GARCIA: Was there a master of ceremony?

WITNESS: The master of ceremony was Joshua arap Sang.

GARCIA: Just to be clear is it the Joshua arap Sang who is here in this courtroom?

WITNESS: Yes.

GARCIA: What was he doing during the ceremony?

WITNESS: He was the one briefing the speakers.

GARCIA: Do you remember if Sang said anything during that ceremony?

WITNESS: I can’t recall everything that he said.

GARCIA: I would like to ask you some questions regarding Mr Jackson Kibor. Would you be able to tell the court what line of work Kibor was in?

WITNESS: He was a farmer and also had a transportation company.

GARCIA: Can you tell us how many farms he had?

WITNESS: He had five farms.

GARCIA: Do you know if he owned any lorries or trucks?

WITNESS: He owned trailer lorries.

GARCIA: Would you know approximately how many lorries he had?

WITNESS: I am not sure about the numbers.

GARCIA: Can you tell us how many houses Kibor had at the time?

WITNESS: Five houses.