The Trial of Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto Starts With an Ominous Warning

Kenya's Deputy President Ruto sits in courtroom before trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. (Photo: REUTERS/Michael Kooren)

This came during the trial of Kenya's deputy president, William Ruto, for crimes against humanity.

Kenyan media named the very first witness in the trail. She testified yesterday.

Ruto and his boss, president Uhuru Kenyatta, deny orchestrating violence that followed disputed elections six years ago.

More than a thousand people were killed.

It's the first time in the history of the court that serving leaders have been called to account for their actions.

And so the case is seen as a huge test for the concept of international justice.

The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse has been to Eldoret in the Rift Valley.

That's Ruto's hometown, and the scene of some of the worst violence.

Will you support The World with a monthly donation?

Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you. We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.

Make a gift today, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000!