Witness says William Ruto paid youths after poll chaos

Kenya: More than 3,000 Kalenjin youths were cleansed after taking part in the bloody 2007-2008 post-election violence in parts of the Rift Valley, a witness told the International Criminal Court (ICC).

And during the cleansing ceremony, the youths received Sh300 each said to have been donated by Deputy President William Ruto as a token of appreciation for their unity during the PEV, the court heard.

The money was allegedly delivered to the youths by Ruto’s personal assistant Farouk Kibet during the ceremony at Nabkoi forest in May 2008.

Ruto is charged, together with Kass FM radio broadcaster Joshua Sang, for crimes against humanity said to have been committed during the PEV. More than 1,200 people were killed during the PEV.

Testifying in The Hague-based court, the witness, a member of the Kalenjin community, told the Trial Chamber V(a) that the ceremony was to cleanse the youths from curses after taking part in violence.

The witness, who has been on the stand since Monday, was led through his evidence by Prosecuting counsel Anton Sternberg.

Prosecutor: How did you know about it? Was it something you were told or observed?

Witness: I attended the ceremony.

Prosecutor: Why did you attend and you were not involved?

Witness: All the youths in my village were to attend the ceremony and I didn’t want people to speculate that I was not part of them as they would have come back for me. Also I wanted to witness what was happening in the ceremony.

Prosecutor: Did you consider yourself a youth?

Witness: Yes, a youth in Kalenjin is anyone who is not an elder. All elders will consider all the younger people as youths.

The witness told the judges that during the ceremony, he witnessed a bull being slaughtered. Its internal organs were cut into small pieces and mixed with blood. The elders and a few selected people then threw the parts away chanting words meant to chase away the curses. The ceremony lasted for about four hours.

The witness claimed that during the ceremony, it was inquired whether there was an emissary of Mr Ruto. Kibet, who was Ruto’s chief campaigner, stood up and said he had been sent by Ruto. He was accompanied by youths from Eldoret North.

Kibet then told the youths that Ruto had sent him with some “little cash” to pay them as a sign of appreciation to the Kalenjin community.

“We were given 300 bob. I also received the money,” he told the court.

The witness will be cross-examined by the defence lawyers for about three days. Hearing continues.