Judges Declare Nationwide Protests Against Ruto Set For Next Week

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has declared nationwide street protests following President William Ruto's attacks on the Judiciary, from next week.

LSK in a press briefing on Wednesday, January 3 accused President Ruto of his remarks against the Judiciary which it faulted for linking the court officers to cartels.

As such, the society urged its members to turn up for the protests expected to last throughout the week.

"We call upon all our members of the Law Society of Kenya, starting next week, to don purple ribbons throughout the week, and join in peaceful protests countrywide.

Demonstrators carry placards during a peaceful demo held by lawyers, Muslim religious leaders and human rights activists over the abduction of lawyers and terror suspects outside the Supreme Court building, Nairobi on November 10, 2021. /THE STAR

"LSK will organise this and we will communicate working hand in hand with our branches that we support the rule of law and also in solidarity with the Judiciary," the society announced.

The group feared that Ruto's attacks risked jeopardising the integrity of the Judiciary.

"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," read the statement in part by the society

"The rule of law envisages that where any party is not satisfied with the decision made by a Court, such party ought to exercise the right of appeal. Where such a party has been bestowed with public trust, they could even approach Parliament to put in place laws that are in tandem with our Constitutional values and principles."

In attendance at the presser was LSK President Eric Theuri alongside his deputy, Faith Odhiambo, who both urged President Ruto to recant his statements as he is setting a bad precedent for the rule of law in the country.

“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,” he said.

“We remind the President that the same courts upheld his own election based on impartiality and at one time nullified another. The President should refrain from undermining the Judiciary.”

Theuri also challenged the Head of State to avail the evidence against the corrupt judicial officers to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for action instead of making unsubstantiated claims.

He noted that the attacks on the Judiciary by President Ruto without following the laid down legal framework symbolises an autocratic nature 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,” stated the LSK boss.

He added: “If the President says he can’t obey court orders what happens to a mama mboga in court seeking justice.”

The Kenya Judges and Magistrates Association had earlier called out President Ruto over the matter.

On Tuesday, January 2, while speaking during the burial of Michael Waweru, father of Nyandarua Senator John Methu in Nyandarua, the President spent close to 12 minutes accusing unnamed judicial officers of blocking his transformative agenda for Kenya.

He claimed that a select few were misusing the powers of the courts to preserve the status quo and impede inclusive growth, condemning what he termed was "judicial impunity by corrupt judicial officers."

"Our Judiciary, we respect you but judicial impunity by corrupt judicial officers must stop in Kenya. We will stop it, whatever it takes. The Judiciary must submit itself to the constitution and to the people of Kenya," the President committed.

“We will protect the independence of the Judiciary. But we will not allow selfish individuals to take it captive."