Ruto opposed Raila bid in 2007, ICC told

PHOTO | FILE Deputy President William Ruto speaks during a past function. The ninth prosecution witness Tuesday revealed how Deputy President William Ruto opposed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s candidature for the presidency ahead of the 2007 elections.   NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• At one of the many meetings convened by Mr Ruto to discuss the community’s political future, an individual only identified as person number one, told him that if he was not ready to join them (in supporting Mr Odinga), “they will leave him.”
• The witness further pointed out that Mr Joshua arap Sang, Mr Ruto’s co-accused, used his popular morning talk show on Kass FM – Lene Emet – to rally the Kalenjin to support Mr Ruto, saying he was they only king and spokesman they knew.

By DAVE OPIYO
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The ninth prosecution witness Tuesday revealed how Deputy President William Ruto opposed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s candidature for the presidency ahead of the 2007 elections.

Witness P-0356 said Mr Ruto, who himself was interested in gunning for the country’s top seat at the time, felt that Mr Odinga was not the best candidate for the job.

He however said were it not for the intervention of members of the Kalenjin community, who had made a decision to back Mr Odinga for the Presidency, Mr Ruto would not have supported this.

The witness made the revelations while giving his testimony-in-chief on his third day in the dock, led by trial lawyer Lucio Garcia.

At one of the many meetings convened by Mr Ruto to discuss the community’s political future, an individual only identified as person number one, told him that if he was not ready to join them (in supporting Mr Odinga), “they will leave him.”

Said the witness Tuesday; “Mr Ruto tried to convince the Kalenjin that Raila was not the best candidate…but the Kalenjin had decided.”

The witness further pointed out that Mr Joshua arap Sang, Mr Ruto’s co-accused, used his popular morning talk show on Kass FM – Lene Emet – to rally the Kalenjin to support Mr Ruto, saying he was they only king and spokesman they knew.

The prosecution later played several video clips showing Mr Ruto as having been installed as the undisputed Kalenjin leader and given permission to vie for the country’s top seat.

The witness said Mr Sang’s show would be used mainly by politicians allied to ODM to sell their policies. Those from rival political parties would also be given a chance, but Mr Sang would later on “say things against them.”

The witness further accused the former broadcaster of using abusive language against callers to his show who supported of the Party of National Unity (PNU). Mr Sang smiled in court as the allegations against him were being revealed.