Ruto asks to be excused from ICC trial sessions to attend international forum

Deputy President William Ruto has asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to excuse him from attending his trial sessions so that he can represent President Uhuru Kenyatta at an international conference this week.

Mr Ruto who is attending his trial at The Hague-based court made the request through his lawyer Karim Khan at the close of proceedings Monday.

He asked to be allowed to represent President Kenyatta at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "This came to my attention Monday and Mr Ruto had mentioned it to President Kenyatta last week," Mr Khan told the court.

He said Kenya was due to make presentations at the forum on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week.

"We are requesting that he be excused to attend the forum on behalf of the President on Thursday and Friday," the lawyer submitted adding that the event would be attended by many heads of State.

Khan said the meeting was one of the important annual events that discuss currency and investments and which Kenya wished to be represented at the level of the Presidency.