President William Ruto has revisited a time Nairobi Constitutional Lawyer and Advocate Ahmednasir Abdullahi warned him of sabotage by a group of corrupt judicial officers.
In a statement on Thursday, January 4, the head of state said that when the lawyer warned him, he gave an assurance that there were other good judicial officers whose work was commendable.
Further Ruto noted that just as he promised then, he will hold his promise and root out the corrupt judicial officers.
“Ahmednasir SC you warned me of sabotage by corrupt judicial officers. I told you there aere many good officers in the judiciary and that we will root out the corrupt. we shall,” stated Ruto.
At the same time, the head of state referenced Human Rights Lawyer Paul Muite in the statement adding that he will not stand for individuals who were bribing judges to slow down or stop the initiatives that were meant to transform the country.
“Muite SC, the impunity of bribing judges so as to derail, delay or sabotage Kenya’s imminent transformation will never happen under my watch. Not a single cent will be used to bribe nobody,” added the statement.
On Wednesday, January 3, Muite and Ahmednasir had weighed in on the debate about alleged corruption in judiciary.
Muite on his part had alleged that figures in the previous administration had colluded with judges in a case that ended up reducing the potency of the Kenya Nationa Union of Teachers (KNUT) trade union.
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Martha Koome Responds to Ruto over Judiciary Stopping Development
His sentiments came after Chief Justice Martha Koome issued a statement after questions were raised over Ruto’s decision to go after the judiciary for receiving bribes to stop his development agenda in the country.
The CJ stated that the Judiciary had undergone careful and consistent reforms and rebuilt trust with the people of Kenya by standing guard in defense of the Constitution.
“The JSC was emboldened by the Constitution to protect this independence and uphold judicial transparency owing to its critical import to the stability and democratic character of our country.
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“This provision signified freedom from control, oppression, and exploitation of the people using institutions established to protect their rights and freedoms,” noted Koome.
Lawyers Protest Against Ruto’s Sentiments
Also joining the bandwagon to condemn Ruto’s sentiments was the Executive Council of the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA).
In a statement, KMJA called out Ruto for his statement giving government officials directions to disobey Court orders.
“Though the President alleged that they were going to respect judicial independence, by insinuating that the Court Orders are a manifestation of judicial tyranny and impunity is in itself an interference with judicial independence,” their statement read in part.
In addition, lawyers through the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) announced that they will lead countrywide protests against the sustained offensive sentiments by the President.
LSK President Eric Theuri, in a statement, urged members to come out in numbers and participate in protests as a sign of defending Judiciary’s independence.
“The Law Society of Kenya will call its members to a countrywide peaceful purple ribbon protest march next week to affirm our oath publicly to defend the constitution, rule of law & the independence of the Judiciary,” Theuri announced.
