put Ruto's trial on hold for a week after the attack so that he could return to Kenya and deal with the security situation.

Ruto went on trial last month, the highest-ranking serving official to do so before the ICC, on charges of masterminding some of the 2007-2008 post-election violence in Kenya that left over 1,000 people dead and several hundred thousand displaced.

Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta's trial on similar charges is due to start next month, although he has been partially excused from attending all of his trial to allow him to fulfill his "demanding" political duties at home.

Ruto appeared confident as he arrived at court on Friday, joining his supporters for a group prayer ahead of the hearing.

The court has been caught up in accusations that it isthe rule."

Any absence must be limited to what is "strictly necessary," Song said, and judges must have considered all other alternatives, including changes to the trial schedule.

Appeals judges said that the trial chamber in July had "interpreted the scope of its discretion too broadly and therefore exceeded the limits of its discretionary power."

July's ruling had "provided Ruto with a blanket excusal even before the trial commenced, effectively making his absence a general rule and his presence an exception," Song said.

Ruto, 46, and Kenyan radio boss Joshua arap Sang, 38, stand accused of stoking the worst violence in the east African country since independence in 1963.

Both Ruto and his one-time foe and now political partner, Kenyatta, who also goes on trial on November 12 on similar charges, have pledged