Omtatah to Ruto: Take a deep breath, reflect

By Peter Ochieng

Busia Senator Okoiti Okiya Omtatah wants president William Ruto to take a deep breath, and reflect on the office he occupies as Head of State.

The first term Senator who is known for filing public interest petitions in various courts says after reflection, the Head of State should apologise to the judiciary for his recent remarks, which have been interpreted as threats.

"The President should immediately take a deep breath, and reflect on the all-important office he occupies in the Kenyan State, as our Chief Executive, and unreservedly apologise to the judiciary," the Senator said in a statement on Friday.

"He should also seek forgiveness from the diligent public-spirited Kenyans and institutions that have challenged his pet projects in court, and to the general public," added Omtatah.

On Tuesday while speaking in Nyandarua County, president Kenyatta accused some judicial officers he terms as corrupt, of working with some people to sabotage his Kenya Kwanza administration.

Omtatah in a rejoinder says the Head of State should table evidence, if any, against any judicial judge or officer to facilitate the law taking its course.

He says he has never bribed a judge to get a fair ruling against the government.

"His Excellency the president has a right under the law to be heard, and he also has a right to protest just as he has done, and he has access to intelligence, which other Kenyans and I don't have."

"I look him straight in the eye and challenge him to table the evidence of bribe-taking against any judge or bribe-giving he has against any litigant and let the chips fall where they may," he added.

"The president’s attack on the judiciary is an attempt to shift blame for the failures of his ill-conceived and lacklustre policies onto third parties. It is clear that any attempt to govern this country outside the boundaries of the law will face staunch resistance."

The Senator said it will be a grave matter if Ruto lacks evidence, terming his 'outbursts' as "most unfortunate, reckless, misguided and unconstitutional."