PHOTO | FILE Former US ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger.
NATION
Former US ambassador to Kenya Michael
Ranneberger was on Monday alleged to have taken part in recruitment of
witnesses to testify against Deputy President William Ruto in The Hague.
Mr Ruto’s lawyer also accused an American
humanitarian organisation, USAid, of recruiting witnesses to testify
against the Deputy President in the trial for crimes allegedly committed
during the 2007/8 violence.
Mr Karim Khan claimed that Mr Ranneberger tried to recruit people to give evidence against Mr Ruto.
Questioning
prosecution witness 0356 in the crimes against humanity trial against
Mr Ruto on Monday, Mr Khan sought to know whether the witness was aware
of Mr Ranneberger’s alleged involvement. The witness answered in the
negative.
Mr Ranneberger was the US envoy in Kenya
between 2006 and 2011. He was a key figure during the push for the
cessation of the violence that erupted after the disputed 2007
presidential election, leaving 1,133 people dead.
The defence said the witness received $6,891 (Sh592,600) in two days in August 2012 from the Office of the Prosecution.
The
money was allegedly given to him through non-governmental
organisations. The witness admitted he was paid $3,367 (about Sh286,000)
on August 1, 2012 and $3,524 (about Sh299,000) the following day.
“Do
you agree that you received more than Sh600,000 in two days when you
were initially earning Sh100,000 per year?” asked Mr Khan.
The witness admitted he received the money but clarified that it was for upkeep and witness-related expenses.
The witness also accepted that in six months he was paid $20,000 (Sh1.2 million).
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