Conflict Kenya

Indicted December 2010

Status Trial Pending

Timeline

March 2010: The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, or ICC, announces that the court will undertake an investigation of individuals suspected of organizing violence following the disputed 2007 election. During this period violent riots led to the death of more than 1,200 Kenyans and displaced more than 300,000. Ruto, who supported presidential candidate Raila Odinga, is one of the main individuals under investigation and is accused of planning even before the election to establish militias to attack supporters of President Mwai Kibaki.

December 2010: The ICC charges Ruto for crimes against humanity including murder, forcing people from their homes, and persecution. He is one of six people indicted. Notably, this indictment sets an interesting precedent as Ruto is gearing up to run for president but has also cooperated willingly with the court.

March 2011: Ruto is summoned to appear at the ICC to determine where there are reasonable grounds to believe he has in fact committed the alleged crimes.

April 2011: Ruto attends an initial hearing at ICC’s headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, to defend himself against the alleged charges.

January 2012: The ICC confirms the original charges against Ruto, along with charges against three others. The charges of two are dropped.

Photo: AP