Busia Senator Okiya Omtahtah now says that President William Ruto’s next move after his public criticism against the judiciary will be an attack on the media.
In a press conference on January 5, Omtahtah said that President Ruto will next attack the media after he ordered government to disobey court orders issued against government development projects.
“Since the independent judiciary in Kenya is under attack by the Kenya Kwanza government, I am sure that the next target will be our free press and that should concern every Kenyan,” he said.
Omtahtah explained that the democracy of a country is based on a free press and independent judiciary.
“A free human being is defined by two critical things, the freedom to be heard and the right to a fair hearing. Thus, liberty steadily walks on two legs, a free press, and an independent judiciary,” said Omatahtah.
Further, the Senator said tyrannical governments do not coexist with these two important institutions.
He stated that an attack on one of the institutions simply precedes an attack on the other.
Resist the President – Omtahtah
Additionally, he asked Kenyans to resist Ruto’s plans adding it was a preventive measure against the rise of dictators.
“After being appeased despots always gain the strength, they need to dominate and plunder because the dominant human emotions that lead to appeasement are fear and despair. The only medicine for tyrants and strongmen is to fight back and they must be resisted by all means,” he said.
Also, he slammed the president for his resident comments on the judiciary.
Also Read: Koome Responds to Ruto’s Attacks Against the Judiciary
“I therefore add my voice to those who have come out to strongly condemn President Ruto recent most unfortunate, reckless, unwarranted, ill-informed, misguided, and unconstitutional attacks on the judiciary,” stated Omtahtah.
The Senator challenged Ruto to table evidence to support his claims on corrupt judges.
“From the look of things, he doesn’t have an iota of evidence against the people he has accused of engaging in bribery. Otherwise, he would have the lot over to law enforcement and thrown the book at them,” he said.
Also Read: Ruto Under Fire as Judges & Lawyers Condemn His Attack on Judiciary
Ruto Judiciary Attacks
Ruto on Tuesday, January 2, accused some judges and courts of colluding with rogue officials to slow down government projects.
The President complained of a trend where judges repeatedly issued court orders blocking government policies and projects.
“I want to make it clear that the interests of beneficiaries of the corruption in the former NHIF ganging up with corrupt officials to stall the program that is going to make it possible for the ordinary citizens to access healthcare so that a few corrupt characters can continue to steal from NHIF will stop,” he stated.
Further, Ruto emphasized the government would continue to respect the judiciary’s independence as provided for in the Constitution.
However, Ruto vowed to prevent “corrupt people” from abusing the institution’s independence and thereby delaying plans.
