The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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In the upcoming week, Kenyan lawyers are set to organize peaceful demonstrations across the country to protest President William Ruto’s recent criticisms of the Judiciary and his pledge to defy court orders that he perceives as unfavorable to government projects.
Eric Theuri, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), announced in a press briefing on Wednesday that all advocates and legal practitioners participating in the demonstrations will wear purple ribbons to signify their solidarity with the Judiciary and the rule of law.
The LSK leader, accompanied by his deputy Faith Odhiambo, called on President Ruto to withdraw his statements, expressing concern that such remarks cast a dark cloud over the justice system and pose a threat to the rule of law.
“We’re concerned as LSK that we begin the year with a dark cloud hovering around the justice system following remarks by the President. Those remarks are a threat to the rule of law…we want the President to retract or else they will send very bad signals,” Theuri stated.
He reminded the President that the same courts had upheld his election based on impartiality and, at one point, nullified another. The LSK President urged President Ruto to refrain from undermining the Judiciary.
Theuri challenged the Head of State to present evidence of corruption involving judicial officers to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) instead of making unsubstantiated claims. He emphasized that the attacks on the Judiciary without following established legal procedures suggest an autocratic form of governance.
“We call upon the President of Kenya to avail evidence of corruption to JSC. When a hyena wants to eat its children, it starts telling them that they smell like sheep,” added Theuri.
As a symbol of their support for the rule of law, all advocates will wear yellow ribbons starting next week. The lawyers plan to organize peaceful nationwide demonstrations to advocate for the independence of the Judiciary, marching peacefully and submitting a petition to the Attorney General.
The LSK leader questioned the implications for ordinary citizens seeking justice if the President refuses to obey court orders, stating, “If the President says he can’t obey court orders, what happens to a mama mboga in court seeking justice.”
