Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto on Friday won an appeal at the International Criminal Court which ruled prosecutors cannot use recanted testimonies in his crimes against humanity case.

In what will be seen as a major victory by the Kenyan government, judge Piotr Hofmanski said the court had interpreted the rules "too narrowly to the detriment" of Ruto and his co-accused radio boss Joshua arap Sang.

Therefore "the appeals chamber has decided to reverse the decision that ... prior recorded testimony can be used," Hofmanski said.