Lawyers hold demos in support of independent judiciary

By Peter Ochieng

Lawyers on Friday held peaceful demos in push for a free and independent judiciary, days after president William Ruto called out 'some corrupt judges' for sabotaging his administration.

In what appeared to be a public rant in Nyandarua County, Ruto accused some members of the judiciary of working in cahoots with some individuals, to stop his plans for the people of Kenya especially in the health sector.

Irked by the allegations percieved to be threats against independence of the judiciary, members of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) held demos in Nairobi, which started at the Supreme Court of Kenya.

They were joined by Wiper Party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, a Senior Counsel (SC).

The lawyers, led by LSK president Eric Theuri, donning their traditional white and black robes reaffirmed their commitment to defend the independence of the judiciary.

"That I will at all times uphold the rule of law and administration of justice, and that without fear or favour, I will discharge my duties as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. So help me God," they said in unison.

The lawyers carried placards with messages aimed at calling for total independence of the country's judicial system.

"We march for justice," one of the placard announced.

"Protect judicial independence," added another.

"Constitutional safeguards are necessary," stated another.

"Defend Kenyan democracy."

Over the past few days, Ruto has consistently promised to crash impunity in the judiciary, claiming that his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta had a budget for bribing judges so as not to stall government projects and programs.

“Some people are saying that because the previous government had a budget to bribe courts, I should go and come up with a budget to bribe the courts."

“Do you want your money to be used to bribe the courts? No budget will be made to bribe anyone in the courts. The courts are servants of Kenyans," Ruto said this week in his Uasin Gishu backyard.

The president said his administration respects the independence of the judiciary and other institutions, but that independence does not extend to sabotage public interests.