THE HAGUE — Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta, made a reluctant appearance Wednesday before three international judges who must decide whether the case against him on charges of crimes against humanity should proceed or be withdrawn for lack of evidence.

Prosecutors, who have postponed the start of the trial several times, said the case at the International Criminal Court could not continue until the Kenyan government ended its obstruction and sent in evidence that was requested more than two years ago.

The defense had insisted that the case, linking Mr. Kenyatta to violence after the 2007 presidential election, had failed.

Mr. Kenyatta’s supporters saw The Hague summons as an embarrassment. He asked to be recused or to follow the hearing by video link, as he has done before. But the judges insisted on his presence Wednesday for a debate on how to proceed, saying the case had reached a “critical juncture.”