By FELIX OLICK
The Hague: Kenyan lawmakers caused drama at The Hague as they sharply questioned the fairness of the proceedings against Deputy President William Ruto at a private session with senior court officials.
The lawmakers told the International Criminal Court (ICC) Registrar Herman Von Hebel that the court was becoming political and was not alive to the fact that they were trying a deputy Head of State.
They also questioned the impartiality of the proceedings terming Tuesday witness’ testimony on the 2008 post-election bloodshed as ‘blatant lies’.
“It’s very clear that you are only concerned about the witness even when she is telling lies to the judges. What about the mental torture that you are causing to the accused’s family,” said Baringo MP Grace Kiptui.
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Ruto’s wife Rachel, her daughter June and Kenyan Ambassador to Netherlands Makena Muchiri attended the meeting but remained tight-lipped as the leaders fired tough salvos at Von Hebel’s team.
The session with the registrar yesterday was called urgently after the MPs who travelled to The Hague in solidarity with Ruto raised concerns over frequent private sessions.
But Mr Hebel maintained that private sessions are normal at the ICC and would be extended even to the defence of Ruto and radio Journalist Joshua arap Sang’s witnesses should they request for protection.
He insisted that the proceedings are impartial and that under the Rome Statute, witnesses are entitled to the highest level of security.
