International Criminal Court’s ruling that recanted evidence will not be used in the case against Deputy President William Ruto and Joshua Sang, has been received with great joy in North Rift.
Residents have been anxiously waiting for the ruling that was delivered on Friday evening by the Court’s Appeal Chambers.
Local leaders and the Kalenjin Council of Elders expressed their joy saying they are confident that the no case to answer application will sail through and Ruto and Sang will finally be vindicated.
The leaders including MPs Cornelly Serem (Aldai), Kirwa Bitok (Mosop), Zipporah Kering (Women Representative), former MP Mark Too and Kalenjin Council of Elders chairman Maj (Rtd) John Seii said now the case was headed for total collapse.
“God has answered our prayers and the all truth is out. Ruto and Sang are innocent and that is why the witnesses withdrew their evidence,” said Kering.
Ms Kering called on Kenyans to continue praying that the two — Ruto and Joshua Sang — are finally set free.
Too said: “The case was based on lies and fabrications. There is no lie that will sail through and our mighty God was on our side. This case will eventually collapse.”
Serem said: “We are moving in the right direction, the verdict was long overdue. We will also sail through in the no case to answer application”.
The legislator said the Court’s ruling proves that the investigations by the Chief Prosecutor were weak.
Serem added that it is clear now that the Prosecution ‘relied on lies, propaganda’.
“We will be happier when this case collapses. Ruto should be let free so that he performs his duties in nation building without interference,” said Serem.
Nakuru County residents also hailed the ruling and said the case was headed for collapse.
Led by Nakuru East MP David Gikaria, the jubilant residents expressed their gratitude to the Court, saying the ruling was not only victory for the duo but a breakthrough for the country.
The MP pointed out that Kenya has always obeyed every directive issued by the International Court but he accused Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda of trying to apply Rule 68 to salvage Luis Moreno Ocampo weak case.
“Our Deputy President and Sang are going to be declared free very soon,” said Gikaria.
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The Court’s Appeal Chambers, overturned an earlier decision of the Trial Chambers allowing use of prior-recorded evidence in the case against Ruto and Sang.
He urged the Opposition to join efforts with the Government to unite Kenyans ahead of the next General Elections.
The MP appreciated tireless efforts by Leaders of Majority in both Houses, Adan Duale (National Assembly) and Kindiki Kithure (Senate) in ensuring that the fight against the use of Rule 68 was sustained and fought to the bitter end.
“We are prepared to trek to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to receive our brothers and escort them up to Eldoret when they will finally be declared free men,” he added.
He said residents of Rift Valley suffered the most during the post-election violence following the bungled 2007 General Elections and have accepted to bury the hatchet and coexist harmoniously. Nakuru county United Republican Party chairman, Samuel Towett asked the Opposition to stop public attack on Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, saying it had the potential to ignite tension ahead of 2017 General Elections.
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