Kenya: Eugene Says Uhuru, Ruto Free to Contest

JUSTICE minister Eugene Wamalwa yesterday declared that ICC suspects are free to contest presidential elections next year. Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta have both been charged with crimes against humanity at The Hague but have also declared their intention to stand for president in March 2013.

On Monday the ICC set April 10 and 11 as the starting date for the two cases arising out of the post-election violence in 2008. Wamalwa told a press conference yesterday that the constitution deems a person innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. "This in effect brings to closure the acrimonious debate as to whether the ICC process would be used as a political tool to lock out some presidential candidates. Because the court has now ruled, they are free to contest the elections and thereafter proceed with the cases," the minister said.

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