Ruto, Sang off the hook as ICC closes investigation in post-election violence case

The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday announced it had concluded investigations in the case involving deadly violence that broke in Kenya following the 2007 General Election.

Six suspects were accused of crimes against humanity for the violence which claimed over 1,200 lives and left thousands more displaced as a result of ethnic clashes.

ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan in a statement said after assessing all the information available to her, she decided to conclude the investigation phase of the case.

“The Office will not pursue additional cases into the alleged criminal responsibility of other persons. The Office maintains its capacity to act on information relating to retaliation against witnesses,” she said.

All charges against the six suspects, including former president Uhuru Kenyatta, his successor William Ruto and former radio journalist Joshua Arap Sang, were either not confirmed or withdrawn or terminated without prejudice.

Following the termination of the cases, the ICC initiated an investigation which led to arrest warrants against three suspects: Walter Barasa, Paul Gicheru and Philip Kipkoech Bett.

Then after the September 2022 death of lawyer Gicheru, the ICC terminated the proceedings while Barasa and Bett remain at large.

“In this regard, the cases against Mr Barasa and Mr Bett for offences against the administration of justice remain before the Court,” the ICC Deputy Prosecutor said, “I have informed the relevant authorities of the Republic of Kenya of this decision.”

The ICC said it will continue its work in Kenya in relation to the two pending cases.

The court’s investigation in Kenya began in March 2010.