Members of the Judiciary including Chief Justice Martha Koome have continued to hit back at President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua for questioning the independence of the Judiciary.
The latest, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has asked the Chief Justice Martha Koome to issue directive to members of the judiciary to withdraw their involvement in pending government cases.
Further, Sifuna advised the CJ to order the judiciary to refrain from giving an audience to government institutions in cases yet to be filed and pending cases.
“The next time you address the Nation should be to announce one of two things. That judicial officers shall forthwith down tools in all cases currently pending involving National Government Institutions,
“Or that the entire Judiciary shall deny audience to all national government institutions in any cases pending or yet to be filed. As we fight for the independence of the institution, you must also protect your people,” stated Sifuna.
Also Read: Martha Koome Speaks After Gachagua’s Threat on High Court Judge
Martha Koome Takes a Hit at Ruto and Gachagua
The Chief Justice and Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Chair Martha Koome while speaking to the press on January 15, responded to the president and the deputy president’s claims of corruption in JSC warning of a civil strife.
In addition, Koome indicated that declaration by the two leaders that they will not obey court orders will amount to contempt of court.
“The declaration that they will no longer obey court orders and the subsequent actual defiance of the orders given by the court are unstainable and amounts to contempt of court.
“If this course id allowed to continue, we are on the precipice of a constitutional crisis that can lead to untold civil strife,” she stated.
Also Read: Koome Responds to Ruto’s Attacks Against the Judiciary
Koome also noted with concern that the sentiments from the two leaders cause intimidation among the judges and other members of the judiciary.
“I said that when judges are attacked publicly over the hearing of matters, they feel intimidated, they feel harassed. They feel like they are being ordered to rule in a certain way,” she stated.
Gachagua to the Judiciary
Earlier, the deputy president announced that he would be presenting a petition against Justice Esther Maina, who he accused of being corrupt.
“She has challenged us to give evidence, I will lead by example. On Thursday of this coming week at 2:15 pm, I will personally present a petition before the Chief Justice Martha Koome against Justice Esther Maina for her removal from the judiciary for misconduct and corruption,” announced Gachagua.
However, Koome responded to him stating that she was ready to receive the petition even before Thursday. She asked Gachagua to stop condemning members of the judiciary and give them an opportunity for hearing.
“We are ready to receive it, even when it comes earlier than Thursday because that is what we do. our offices are open to receive. Even after hours you can file online.
“Even judges are human beings who deserve to be given an opportunity to be heard, and judges get hurt.
“Especially when their names are dragged in public and they are condemned as corrupt and there is no evidence that has been presented to respond,” he stated.
