Ruto defence plots rebuttal of allegations

By FELIX OLICK

The defence of Deputy President William Ruto plans to rebut the testimony of the first prosecution witness using a statement of her former employer.

Sources indicated that the woman’s former boss — a  prominent politician in the Rift Valley — has dismissed claims that she quit her job before the 2007 polls as false.

“The woman resigned in 2000. This is exactly 7 years before the post-election violence,” said a source familiar with the goings-on at the International Criminal Court (ICC)

The witness is said to have testified about planning meetings allegedly attended by Ruto in the politician’s home in private sessions Tuesday.

“He (the politician) has disowned her. Even her former supervisor has provided the payroll of when she was paid last,” source said.

On Tuesday, Ruto’s lead counsel Karim Khan persuaded the judges to inform the witness of consequences of telling lies before the ICC.

“Mr Khan, the reason why I stopped you earlier is that I do not want to create an intimidating atmosphere for a witness who testifies,” Presiding Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji interjected.