THE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court delayed Thursday the start of the trial of two prominent Kenyans, including a leading presidential candidate, from April until July after defense lawyers complained of delayed disclosure of evidence and late changes to the prosecution's case. The postponement means that Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, who is leading in the slow count of votes from Monday's elections in Kenya, now faces a provisional trial start date of July 9 on charges of organizing violence after the country's disputed 2007 elections. The violence left more than 1,000 people dead. The announcement came at a time of high tensions in Kenya as the political coalition led by Kenyatta's main rival for the presidency, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, said the vote tallying process “lacks integrity” and should be stopped. Court spokesman Fadi El Abdallah said the timing of the announcement during the tense vote count was a coincidence. “It is not linked to a political calendar, it is only linked to judicial developments,” said El Abdallah. Kenyatta and Cabinet secretary Francis Muthaura stand accused of crimes against humanity for alleged involvement in the murder, forcible deportation, persecution and rape of supporters of Odinga in the aftermath of the 2007 vote. Both men deny the charges.— AP
