A Japanese judge will preside over the trial of four Kenyans accused of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.The Trial Chamber V Thursday elected Judge Kuniko Ozaki to lead it in setting the stage for the start of the trial.The other judges handling the Kenyan cases are Christine Van den Wyngaert from Belgium and Chile Eboe-Osuji from Nigeria.Japan is a key financier of the ICC and Judge Ozaki’s role in the Kenyan case will be significant over the coming months.On March 29, the ICC Presidency constituted Trial Chamber V and referred to it the cases against Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, former head of civil service Francis Muthaura, Eldoret North MP William Ruto and radio presenter Joshua Sang.The Trial Chamber V will determine the innocence or guilt of the four, though it will start by dealing with procedural issues such as challenges on jurisdiction or admissibility.The judges were now expected to hold a status conference in order to set the date of the trial.The Trial Chamber, on its own motion, or at the request of the Prosecutor or the defence, may postpone the date of the trial. On Wednesday, Kenyatta and Muthaura asked the judges to delay proceedings against them until their appeals are heard and determined
