International Criminal Court Seeks to Revive Case against Deputy President William Ruto

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking to revive the case against Deputy President William Ruto over the 2007/2008 post-election violence.

In an annual report submitted to the United Nations General Assembly, ICC President Chile Eboe-Osuji says that Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda had been receiving information on the case that collapsed due to lack of witnesses.

"The office of the prosecutor continued to receive information on the commission of crimes against humanity during the post-election violence of 2007—2008,” reads part of the report.

The Daily Nation reports that investigations into the case has been ongoing despite its termination, but details remain highly confidential.

The Hague-based court dropped the charges facing Ruto and radio journalist Joshua arap Sang in 2016 through a majority decision, citing lack of sufficient evidence to push the case to full trial.

ICC said the case was weakened by witness interference and refusal by the Kenyan government to cooperate with the court.

The court later issued warrants of arrest against Kenyans Walter Barasa, Paul Gicheru and Philip Kipkoech for allegedly coercing witnesses in the case to withdraw or recant their testimonies.

In March 2015, the court also terminated the case facing President Kenyatta over lack of sufficient evidence and reliable witnesses.

“Given the state of the evidence in this case, I have no alternative but to withdraw the charges against Mr Kenyatta. I am doing so without prejudice to the possibility of bringing a new case should additional evidence become available," said Bensouda in a statement.

“This is a painful moment for the men, women and children who have suffered tremendously from the horrors of the post-election violence, and who have waited, patiently, for almost seven years to see justice done.”

Kenyatta, Ruto and Sang had been charged with crimes against humanity including murder, rape, persecution and deportation following the post-election skirmishes that left over 1,000 people dead and thousands of others displaced.