During a three hours examination, the defendant said he had not met Mungiki militants at the Yaya Centre in November 2007, as alleged by the Prosecutor. "The Yaya Center is really not a meeting place (...) But I have been there with my wife and my children, as it is a place for shopping".
According to the Prosecution, Kenyatta handed over to Mungiki members 30 million Kenyan shillings (220,000 Euros) during the presidential inauguration ceremony on December 30, 2007. "Ridiculous", replied Kenyatta adding that, to do so, he would have had to carry several suitcases full of money.
He went on to claim that he didn't dispose of such an amount of money. "Can you indicate to the Court the entirety of your patrimony?", Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo questioned him. Kenyatta looked uncomfortable: "I have assets but I don't have that amount of money in cash, Madame President", he finally told the presiding magistrate.
Asked by the Prosecution if current Prime Minister Raila Odinga could be held responsible for the post-electoral killings, Kenyatta replied: "Politically, yes, I would say he was involved. Criminally, I have no evidence.". He concluded that the elections results should have been challenged before a court, not in the street.
Uhuru Kenyatta, Cabinet Secretary Francis Muthaura and Postmaster General Mohammed Hussein Ali are suspected of crimes against humanity committed during 2007-2008 violence. The three are currently seeking to convince the judges that the allegations brought against them are not solid enough to justify a trial.
The hearings are scheduled to continue until October 5. A decision on the holding of a trial is expected before Christmas.
SM/GF
© Hirondelle News Agency