ODM youth disrupted rallies, ICC told

Kenya: A witness Wednesday narrated how supporters of the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) disrupted political rallies organised by the Party of National Unity (PNU) in parts of the North Rift.

One of the meetings disrupted by the Kalenjin youths was presided over by the then PNU luminary Martha Karua, while the other was scheduled to be presided over by the now President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The witness told the International Criminal Court (ICC) that Karua’s meeting was being held at Moi’s Bridge in Soi constituency sometimes in November 2007 while Uhuru’s was at Turbo town.

The witness was testifying in the trial of Deputy President William Ruto and radio journalist Joshua Sang at The Hague-based court.

She said as she walked into the rally at Moi’s Bridge, she saw Kalenjin youths entering the same venue armed with stones. “I am saying Kalenjin because I heard them talking to each other in the language. Everything was disrupted and everyone ran away,” she told the judges in Trial-Chamber v(a).

She said the youths hurled stones but she did not know if anyone was hurt as she scampered for safety.

The witness who said she was a PNU supporter told the court that Uhuru did not attend the rally at Turbo. “As we were waiting for him, we saw Kalenjin youths surrounding the ground hence feared continuing with the rally,” she said.

Prosecutor: Do you remember when this rally would have taken place, what month?

Witness: It was November 2007 but I can’t give the date.

Prosecutor: Would you be able to tell us whether it was before or after the one you mentioned before?

Witness: After the one I mentioned before.

Prosecutor: About how many Kalenjin youths were there?

Witness: I can’t keep the number. Turbo towns has many  buildings and the youths came from all over.

Prosecutor: Would you tell the court whether there were more than 100 Kalenjin youths?

Witness: They were approximating 100 but it was hard to count in that situation because we were in fear.

She said the meetings were attended mainly by the Kikuyu and members of other communities as well. The witness recalled that Kalenjin ODM supporters were often harsh on PNU supporters, whom they touted that their first stop would be in Othaya (home of the then President Mwai Kibaki).