- The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has declared a call to action with nationwide protests set to unfold next week.
- This follows President William Ruto’s recent verbal assault on the Judiciary.
- Expressing deep concern, the LSK highlighted the potential jeopardy to the Judiciary’s integrity posed by Ruto’s remarks.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has declared a call to action with nationwide protests set to unfold next week, spurred by President William Ruto’s recent verbal assault on the Judiciary.
President Ruto while speaking at the funeral of the father of Nyandarua Senator John Methu in Njabini on Tuesday, January 2, alleged a scheme by a few individuals who bribe judges to halt key development projects across the country through court orders.
This seismic clash has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with legal professionals and political figures alike condemning Ruto’s remarks as an affront to the very bedrock of Kenya’s democracy.
1. LSK’s Stand Against Ruto’s Attack on the Judiciary
The Law Society of Kenya, in a press briefing on Wednesday, minced no words as it criticized President Ruto for his scathing comments that linked the courts to cartels.
Expressing deep concern, the LSK highlighted the potential jeopardy to the Judiciary’s integrity posed by Ruto’s remarks.
The LSK President Eric Theuri said all advocates and legal practitioners will put on yellow ribbons during the demos to signify their support for the Judiciary and the rule of law.
Theuri who was flanked by his deputy Faith Odhiambo, urged President Ruto to recant his statements as he is setting a bad precedent for the rule of law in country.
This move by the legal fraternity underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need to protect the sanctity of the judicial system.
2. Judges and Magistrates Association Joins the Fray
In a rare show of unity, the Kenya Judges and Magistrates Association also took a stand against Ruto’s verbal onslaught.
Accusing the President of flouting court orders, the association emphasized the constitutional duty to protect and uphold the independence of the Judiciary.
“Judges and judicial officers can not work freely with such threats, especially when made by no other than the President himself.
“By disobeying the Court Orders, the President is disobeying the very Constitution which he swore to protect and uphold by trampling upon the independence of the Judiciary,” reads the statement in part.
This condemnation adds weight to the growing opposition against what many perceive as an attack on a fundamental pillar of Kenya’s democracy.
3. Political Figures Speak Out
Leaders from various political quarters have also joined the chorus of disapproval.
KANU Secretary for Political Affairs, Fredrick Okango, urged the Law Society of Kenya to take decisive action against Ruto, emphasizing the threat posed to the independence of the Judiciary.
This sentiment was echoed by other lawyers and opposition figures, including Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, who called for a united front against the perceived undermining of judicial autonomy.
4. Ruto’s Threat to Judicial Independence
The heart of the matter lies in Ruto’s alleged threat to the independence of the Judiciary.
Critics argue that by disobeying court orders, the President is not only undermining the Constitution he swore to protect but is also endangering the very fabric of Kenya’s democratic institutions.
The controversy has sparked a broader conversation about the delicate balance between the executive and the judiciary.
As the nation braces itself for a week of protests, the clash between President William Ruto and the Judiciary unveils a complex narrative of power dynamics and the struggle to uphold democratic principles.
The Law Society of Kenya’s call to action signals a collective determination to safeguard the independence of the judiciary, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown that could reshape the political landscape in Kenya.
The coming days will undoubtedly be a litmus test for the resilience of Kenya’s democratic institutions and the nation’s commitment to the rule of law.