Raila fault President Ruto Over Judiciary remarks

Mombasa,

Thursday, January 4, 2024

KNA by Fatma Said

Azimo la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga has criticized President William Ruto over some recent comments touching on the independence of the Judiciary.

He said the head of state as the custodian of the constitution should not cast aspersions over the independence of the judicial arm of government but uphold the rule of law by not commenting on matters before the court. 

The reaction comes after President Dr. Ruto criticized recent judicial rulings claiming they were disruptive to his development agendas.

Speaking in Mombasa, the opposition leader said that they shall not allow the head of state to intimidate the Judiciary into submission.

This comes after the courts declared two key projects of the Kenya Kwanza administration including universal healthcare coverage and affordable housing unconstitutional.

Odinga went ahead to praise the judiciary noting that it has shown constant strong interpretation of the law and is also not shying from speaking the truth to power.

He appealed to the judiciary to stand firm in defense of the rule of law and constitutionalism.

However, Odinga accused the executive of thriving in corruption when he mentioned the 17 billion fuel scam, the edible oil scam, the duty-free rice, maize, the KCPE exam printing, the Ksh3.7 billion insecticide-treated mosquito nets deal, among other scams, was conceived and executed.

“I hoped that after the tumult and pain experienced in 2023 and from which Kenyans are still deeply suffering, the Kenya Kwanza administration would begin this New Year with much more reflection and humility that would plant hopes that vital lessons have been learned and 2024 would be better, we were wrong,” Odinga said.

Courtesy; KNA