William Samoei Ruto · international criminal law · crimes against humanity · criminal prosecution
Was William Ruto acquitted by the International Criminal Court?
No. On 5 April 2016 an ICC Trial Chamber, by majority, vacated the charges against William Ruto and discharged him, terminating the case without prejudice to a future prosecution. The majority decided that a judgment of acquittal was not the right outcome. The parties did not appeal, the case remains closed as of 30 October 2026, and Ruto, who pleaded not guilty, has denied the allegations.
Last verified 30 October 2026. International Criminal Court · Kenya
The record at a glance
| What was alleged? | The ICC Prosecutor charged Ruto with crimes against humanity of murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population, and persecution, allegedly committed in Kenya during the 2007 to 2008 post-election violence. Pre-Trial Chamber II confirmed charges against him on 23 January 2012.1,2 |
|---|---|
| Who made the claim? | Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Court, 23 January 2012 |
| How did William Ruto respond? | Ruto pleaded not guilty at the opening of his trial and, with his co-accused, applied for a judgment of acquittal. After the case was terminated he said he was innocent, described the allegations as criminal acts of evil minds, and rejected the view that the case collapsed because of witness interference and political meddling, according to Africanews citing Reuters.1,3,4 (the subject's position) |
| Was there an official finding? | The ICC Trial Chamber terminated the case against Ruto on 5 April 2016 by vacating the charges and discharging him, without prejudice to future prosecution.3 The majority concluded that a judgment of acquittal was not the appropriate outcome.3 The parties did not appeal the decision.5 |
| Was liability determined? | No. The case was dismissed. Charges vacated and accused discharged, without prejudice to re-prosecution. This is not an acquittal and not a finding of guilt.3,5 |
| What changed later? | As of 30 October 2026, the ICC case against Ruto is terminated with charges vacated, no appeal was filed, and there are no upcoming hearings.5 |
| When was this checked? | 30 October 2026 |
What was alleged?
The ICC Prosecutor charged Ruto with crimes against humanity of murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population, and persecution, allegedly committed in Kenya during the 2007 to 2008 post-election violence. Pre-Trial Chamber II confirmed charges against him on 23 January 2012.1,2
Made by Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Court on 23 January 2012.
What did William Ruto say?
Ruto pleaded not guilty at the opening of his trial and, with his co-accused, applied for a judgment of acquittal. After the case was terminated he said he was innocent, described the allegations as criminal acts of evil minds, and rejected the view that the case collapsed because of witness interference and political meddling, according to Africanews citing Reuters.1,3,4
"criminal acts of evil minds"
William Ruto (as reported by Africanews, citing Reuters), 8 April 2016. This is the subject's own account, not a finding.
What do independent records show?
Decision on the confirmation of charges (as reported by UN News)
ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II, 23 January 2012
Charges against Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang were confirmed and they were committed to trial. Charges against Henry Kosgey were not confirmed.2,5
Opening of trial
ICC Trial Chamber V(A), 10 September 2013
Both accused pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population, and persecution as crimes against humanity.1
Decision on Defence applications for judgments of acquittal
ICC Trial Chamber V(A) (majority: Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji and Judge Robert Fremr, Judge Olga Herrera Carbuccia dissenting), 5 April 2016
The majority vacated the charges and discharged the accused without prejudice to prosecution in future at the ICC or in a national jurisdiction. Judge Fremr found the evidence insufficient for a reasonable chamber to convict. Judge Eboe-Osuji also declared a mistrial, citing witness interference and political meddling. Judge Herrera Carbuccia would have continued the trial.3
What was established?
- The ICC Trial Chamber terminated the case against Ruto on 5 April 2016 by vacating the charges and discharging him, without prejudice to future prosecution.3
- The majority concluded that a judgment of acquittal was not the appropriate outcome.3
- The parties did not appeal the decision.5
Distinctions that matter here
- Charges vacated without prejudice is not an acquittal. A new prosecution is not barred by the decision.
- A no case to answer ruling assesses whether evidence could support a conviction, not whether the accused is innocent.
Was liability determined?
No. The case was dismissed. Charges vacated and accused discharged, without prejudice to re-prosecution. This is not an acquittal and not a finding of guilt.3,5
What remains unresolved?
- No new prosecution has been brought in the sources reviewed.
- The ICC did not decide on the merits whether the crimes charged were committed by the accused.
What is the current status?
As of 30 October 2026, the ICC case against Ruto is terminated with charges vacated, no appeal was filed, and there are no upcoming hearings.5
As of 30 October 2026. No next proceeding is scheduled in the records we found.
Timeline
- ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II confirms charges against Ruto and Sang.2
- Trial opens and Ruto pleads not guilty.1
- Trial Chamber V(A) vacates the charges and terminates the case without prejudice.3
Sources
- International Criminal Court, Ruto and Sang trial opens at International Criminal Court, 10 September 2013 · document record Court, legislation, official register or regulator record
- UN News, ICC sends prominent Kenyans to trial for crimes related to post-election violence, 23 January 2012 · document record Government, parliamentary or audit document
- International Criminal Court, Ruto and Sang case: ICC Trial Chamber V(A) terminates the case without prejudice to re-prosecution in future, 5 April 2016 · document record Court, legislation, official register or regulator record
- Africanews, Kenya: Ruto reacts after ICC terminates case, 8 April 2016 Independent reporting
- International Criminal Court, The Prosecutor v. William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang, case page · document record Court, legislation, official register or regulator record
- Office of the President of Kenya, The Official Website of the President of the Republic of Kenya · document record Government, parliamentary or audit document
Revision history
- 30 October 2026: First published after source verification.
Related: William Samoei Ruto, international criminal law, crimes against humanity, criminal prosecution, International Criminal Court, Kenya. To submit a document or request a correction, see right of reply.