President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga on Friday, November 25 engaged in an online war of words over the fate of the four IEBC commissioners.
The four IEBC Commissioners including Juliana Cherera, Irene Masit, Francis Wanderi and Justus Nyang’aya are currently being probed by Parliament over their suitability to hold office.
The online war of words follows Raila Odinga’s Thursday, November 24 remarks that the head-of-state is a dictator for inflicting injustice on the four commissioners.
Moreover, the Azimio One Kenya chief stated that the current administration reminded him of former President Daniel Moi’s regime which was marred by instances of tyranny.
Also Read: Raila Odinga Accuses Ruto of Reinstating Nyayo Regime
In a rejoinder, the president went online and turned the tables on Raila by slamming the former premiere’s 2018 handshake with ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta noting that the deal was a clear form of state capture.
“The lords of impunity, who destroyed oversight institutions using the handshake fraud, should allow parliament to hold rogue officials who put the nation in danger by subverting the democratic will of the people to be held to account. New order is RULE of LAW not wishes of big men,” said President Ruto.
The lords of impunity,who destroyed oversight institutions using the handshake fraud,should allow parliament to hold rogue officials who put the nation in danger by subverting the democratic will of the people to be held to account. New order is RULE of LAW not wishes of big men.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) November 25, 2022
The opposition chief in an online response echoed his Thursday stance on Ruto’s rule noting that the Executive should not interfere with the affairs of the Judiciary.
“There is due process and natural justice, things aren’t just done at the whims of the executive. The rule of law must prevail and not your jungle laws that you want to institute so as to subjugate Kenyans to a conveyor belt system of elections come 2027. We shall not relent,” said Raila.
There is due process and natural justice, things aren't just done at the whims of the executive.
The rule of law must prevail and not your jungle laws that you want to institute so as to subjugate Kenyans to a conveyor belt system of elections come 2027.
We shall not relent. https://t.co/wraA8Ocbul
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) November 25, 2022
Nonetheless, the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee commenced hearing the petitions filed against the four commissioners on November 24.
The exercise is expected to last four days before the committee retreats to make a decision on the fate of the commissioners.