PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI Deputy President William Ruto’s lead counsel Karim Khan arriving at the International Criminal Court on October 29, 2013. NATION MEDIA GROUP
In Summary
The sixth prosecution witness further revealed that Mr Ruto said Kikuyus were enemies even as he chided retired President Moi for supporting Kibaki’s re-election bid
Mr Ruto, witness 268 said, made the remarks in Kalenjin, at a rally in Kipchoge Keino Stadium
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By DAVE OPIYO
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Mr William Ruto was on Tuesday accused of branding those who supported President Kibaki’s re-election bid during the 2007 election as ‘witches.’
The sixth prosecution witness, while giving his testimony during his examination in chief by trial lawyer Lucio Garcia further revealed that Mr Ruto said Kikuyus were enemies even as he chided retired President Moi for supporting Kibaki’s re-election bid.
Mr Ruto, witness 268 said, made the remarks in Kalenjin, at a rally in Kipchoge Keino Stadium, while in the company of top ODM leaders.
“I cannot remember everything but I remember when he talked in Kalenjin, he chided Moi for supporting Kibaki. He said something to the effect that Kikuyus were enemies and whoever supports Kibaki is a witch,” said the witness.
Prosecutor: You mentioned that you attended two rallies in Kapsabet and Nandi Hills. Were they ODM rallies?
Witness: Between 2005 running to 2007 there were many rallies. I remember attending many rallies…
Prosecutor: We are talking about two rallies during the referendum. Were they both Orange rallies?
Witness: There were many rallies in Nandi Hills and Kapsabet. I don’t want to limit it to two. Of course they were Orange rallies.
Prosecutor: The rally in Nandi Hills, do you remember where exactly?
Witness: I remember attending the rally in the stadium
Prosecutor: Can you tell us the name of the stadium?
Witness: I have known it to be Nandi Hills stadium.
Prosecutor: When did the rally take place?
Witness: I cannot remember the exact dates, days and months.
Prosecutor: What month was the referendum held in 2005?
Witness: I don’t remember
Prosecutor: Where did the rally in Kapsabet take place?
Witness: Kapsabet Stadium.
Prosecutor: When did this rally occur?
Witness: I don’t remember the dates.
Prosecutor: For the Nandi Hills rally, what language were the politicians speaking?
Witness: Sometimes, Kiswahili, English and the local Language. I also remember Raila addressed the rally in Dholuo.
(Trial goes into private session, then resumes)
Prosecutor: You stated that you heard ‘Madoadoa’ and ‘Kwekwe’. What was the reaction of the people attending the rallies?
Witness: I can’t remember your honour?
Prosecutor: You also stated the Raila, Ruto and Mudavadi were present. Did Mr Mudavadi make any speech?
Witness: He must have made a speech. I cannot remember the details of the speech.
Judge Osuji: We want your answer to be a response to the question. Tell us whether or not he made a speech.
Witness: I don’t remember.
Prosecutor: And as for Mr Odinga?
Witness: I remember
Prosecutor: What were the details of the speech?
Witness: It was about rallying people not to support the draft constitution. He also spoke in Dholuo.
Prosecutor: As for Mr Ruto. Did he give a speech during the rallies?
Witness: I don’t remember
Prosecutor: Were they broadcast?
Witness: I don’t remember
(Trial goes into private session then resumes)
Prosecutor: In regards to the Kapsabet Rally, where exactly was it held?
Witness: Kapsabet Stadium
Prosecutor: Does it go by another name?
Witness: Its Kipchoge Keino Stadium
Prosecutor: How many people attended this rally?
Witness: They were many.... Thousands... it was a big rally.
Prosecutor: What was the rally for?
Witness: It was for drumming up support for ODM since the elections were approaching.
Prosecutor: Was there any publicity done before the rally
Witness: Yes your honour. It was done through the vernacular stations. There was a car going around announcing about it
Prosecutor: Were there vernacular stations that did some publicity?
Witness: Kass FM.
Prosecutor: Who was the presenter making the announcement?
Witness: I don’t quite remember who was giving the announcement.
Prosecutor: What was the ethnicity of people attending the rally?
Witness: Mostly Kalenjin. But there were also Luos and Luhyas.
Prosecutor: How did they arrive there?
Witness: They used public transport.
Prosecutor: Do you recall who was present in the December 5 rally.
Witness: Local politicians. There was Elijah, Koech, Mudavadi, Ruto, and others I cannot remember.
(Trial takes a brief break then resumes)
Prosecutor: What is the full name of Elijah?
Witness: Elijah Lagat.
Prosecutor: You also mentioned Mr Koech. What is his first name?
Witness: John.
Prosecutor: What party was Mr Lagat?
Witness: ODM.
Prosecutor: As at that time, was he occupying any function in government or he was nominated
Witness: He was MP nominee on ODM party.
Prosecutor: For what constituency?
Witness: Emgwen.
Prosecutor: Is it one of the four constituencies in Nandi?
Witness: Yes.
Prosecutor: Was John Koech affiliated to any political party?
Witness: He was an ODM MP nominee for Mosop Constituency.
Prosecutor: Where is it?
Witness: In Nandi County.
Prosecutor: How many hours did the Kapsabet rally last?
Witness: People started arriving from 11am. Main speakers came later at around three or four. The meeting ended around five. It was late in the meeting.
Prosecutor: How did Mr Ruto come to the meeting?
Witness: He is likely to have used a chopper.
Prosecutor: What do you base that on?
Witness: I have attended many rallies and choppers have been used.
Prosecutor: Did he arrive at other rallies using a helicopter?
Witness: Yes.
Prosecutor: Do you remember whether there was a speaking order during the rallies?
Witness: Yes.
Prosecutor: What was the speaking order?
Witness: What I can remember is that the main speakers spoke later after others had spoken.
Prosecutor: Which politicians? Tell us the order.
Witness: From the councillors, then it moved upwards to MPs, senior politicians holding ministerial positions, then party luminaries would conclude.
Prosecutor: Who were the nominees for councillors who started?
Witness: I don’t quite clearly remember.
Prosecutor: Who was the last person to give a speech?
Witness: It was Mudavadi then Ruto.
Prosecutor: Do you recall what Mr Lagat Said?
Witness: I cannot recall.
Prosecutor: What did Mr Mudavadi state?
Witness: I cannot recall one by one but it was basically a policy speech.
Prosecutor: What were the general ideas he was conveying at the rally?
Witness: I cannot remember.
Prosecutor: Do you recall what Mr Ruto Said?
Witness: I cannot remember everything but I remember when he talked in Kalenjin, he chided Moi for supporting Kibaki. He said something to the effect that Kikuyus were enemies and whoever supports Kibaki is a witch.
(Trial goes into private session then resumes)
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