Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and MP William Ruto, who are running on a joint ticket for presidential elections in March, are indicted for crimes against humanity for their alleged role in 2007-2008 electoral violence. Also indicted with them are former Cabinet Secretary Francis Muthaura and journalist Joshua Sang.
The trial of Ruto and Sang is due to start on April 10, while the trial of Kenyatta and Muthaura is set to start the following day, on April 11.
The four are called to be present at Thursday’s status conference, either in person or by videoconference. Kenyatta and Ruto will therefore have to interrupt their campaigning.
The four have so far remained free and have appeared voluntarily before the ICC. Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has threatened to have them arrested if they incite violence during the campaign, and says the election will not affect the judicial process.
ER/JC