The International Criminal Court has released a YouTube video saying that judges have decided by a majority to terminate the cases against Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto and radio broadcaster Joshua arap Sang.
It says that this decision does not stop a prosecution in the future and the decision is subject to an appeal.
The declaration of a mistrial in the cases against Deputy President William Ruto and radio broadcaster Joshua arap Sang means that no-one will now be prosecuted at the International Criminal Court in connection with the violence that followed Kenya’s 2007 election, unless the prosecutor appeals.
Six Kenyans were initially referred to the ICC including the current President Uhuru Kenyatta over the violence in which more than 1000 people died.
In reacting to the ruling, President Uhuru Kenyatta says he is “delighted” by the International Criminal Court’s decision to declare a mistrial in the cases of Deputy President William Ruto and broadcaster Joshua arap Sang.
In a statement he adds:
This moment is long overdue but no less joyful. I join my brothers in celebrating their moment of justice.”
He also criticises the ICC process which he says pursued an “ill-conceived, defective agenda at the expense of accountability for the post-election violence”.
He says that the quest for justice continues:
We will continue the work of healing the nation, uniting the people, reconciling communities and ensuring that justice for the victims is achieved.”
We will do everything to make it up for Kenyans where this international institution has failed them.”