Lawyers to hold demos over Ruto's threats to Judiciary

By Peter Ochieng

Lawyers are getting ready for countrywide demonstrations next week, against president William Ruto's threats to the judiciary and judicial officers.

Eric Theuri, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president they will protest in support of the judiciary, calling upon the Head of State to withdraw his remarks.

“All advocates will put on yellow ribbons beginning next week to signify their support for the rule of law. We shall have countrywide peaceful demonstrations to stand with the independence of the judiciary. We shall match peacefully and petition the Attorney General," said Theuri, during a press briefing on Wednesday.

“If the President says he can’t obey court orders what happens to a mama mboga in court seeking justice.”

Speaking on Tuesday, president Ruto said some powerful persons had taken captive some judicial officers to frustrate efforts by his administration, to implement programs aimed at transforming the lives of Kenyans.

“We are a democracy. We respect and we will protect the independence of the judiciary. What we will not allow is judicial tyranny and judiciary impunity. That will not happen,” he warned.

He was also categorical that some judges were working in cahoots with individuals, so as frustrate his development agenda, especially in the health sector.

However, Theuri challenged him to produce any evidence he has against judges for the rule of law to take its course, instead of issuing threats.

“We call upon the President of Kenya to avail evidence of corruption to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). When a hyena wants to eat its children, it starts telling them that they smell like sheep,” he added.

He reminded Ruto that he is in office, courtesy of the Supreme Court having upheld his presidential election win.

“We’re concerned as LSK that we begin the year with a dark cloud hovering around the justice system following remarks by the President. Those remarks are a threat to the rule of law. We want the President to retract or else they will send very bad signals."

“We remind the President that the same courts upheld his own election based on impartiality and at one time nullified another. The President should refrain from undermining the judiciary.”