Third witness in Ruto’s case tells of rowdy ODM youth

The third witness in the trial against Deputy President William Ruto and Joshua Sang at the International Criminal Court took the stand on Monday. Witness 487 had her identity protected as she testified.

Trial Chamber judges ruled that the witness will be accorded protection as asked by the Victims and Witnesses Unit.

The witness testified that she was doing political work before the 2007 general elections and mobilised youth in Eldoret to campaign for former president Mwai Kibaki under the Warembo na Kibaki group.

Witness 487 narrated how their attempts to campaign for former president Kibaki were thwarted by ODM youth who declared certain regions in Eldoret town no go zones for PNU supporters.

The witness said they were stoned and vehicle convoys blocked from gaining access to certain areas to campaign.

  Excerpts:

Prosecution –Were you doing political work in lead up to the 2007 general elections?

Witness – Yes

Prosecution – What type of work?

Witness – I was mobilising youth to campaign for Mr Kibaki

Prosecution – Were you part of a movement or group?

Witness – Yes

Prosecution – What was the name?

Witness – Warembo na Kibaki in Eldoret

Prosecution – What do the words mean?

Witness – Ladies mobilising for Kibaki in Eldoret-nation.co.ke