Ruto’s ‘fixer’ to testify in his defence at the ICC
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has accepted to testify as a defence witness in a case facing Deputy President William Ruto at the International Criminal Court.
Mr Kuria, who has kicked up a storm by claiming that Mr Ruto was “fixed” at The Hague by Narc Kenya boss Martha Karua and Cord leaders Raila Odinga and Anyang Nyong’o, accepted invitations by the DP’s lawyers to record a statement and even testify in the on-going case at the ICC.
Correspondence between the outspoken first time MP and the lawyers for the DP and his co-accused Joshua arap Sang revealed the developments, which could drastically alter the direction of the case.
Last Friday, lawyer Shyamala Alagendra, who is part of Mr Ruto’s defence team, wrote to Mr Kuria, requesting for an interview and the possibility of the Gatundu South MP testifying as a defence witness in the on-going trial of their client.
She said they have been following “with concern” the claims that the MP has been raising regarding the circumstances which could have possibly led to their client being investigated and eventually tried at The Hague.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
“We have been following your recent public statements, as reported in the Kenyan press, concerning the ICC case against Mr William Ruto and Mr Joshua Sang. We are interested in interviewing you with a view to you potentially being a defence witness in this case,” she wrote on behalf of lead lawyer Karim Khan.
Ms Alagendra said she was ready to fly in on October 26, in the company of Mrs Grace Sullivan who is a member of their team, to interview Mr Kuria.
On Monday, Mr Kuria wrote back, stating that he was ready to be interviewed by the DP’s lawyers in the safety of Parliament Buildings. He gave a list of requirements for the two members of the DP’s defence team to gain access to Parliament.
“I have no objection meeting you and the defence team of William Ruto. Regarding your request for me to appear as a witness for the defence, I hereby confirm acceptance of the same. You may now feel free to list me as your witness,” he said.
Mr Kuria also informed Mr Ruto’s defence team that he has also been requested by ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda’s team for an interview on the claims he has made in prayer meetings for the DP which have been held in several parts of the country.
Mr Sang’s lawyer Katwa Kigen had, on the same dates, also written to Mr Kuria, requesting for an interview and the possibility of the Gatundu South MP accepting to testify as a defence witness.