Lawyers to stage countrywide demos, want Ruto to withdraw remarks on Judiciary

Kenyan lawyers will next week stage countrywide peaceful demonstrations to protest President William Ruto’s attacks against the Judiciary, and his vow to disobey court orders that presumably do not favour government projects.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Eric Theuri, in a press address on Wednesday, said all advocates and legal practitioners will put on purple ribbons during the demos to signify their support for the Judiciary and the rule of law.

The LSK boss, 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.

“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.”

Mr. 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,” added the LSK boss.

“All advocates will put on yellow ribbons beginning next week to signify their support for the rule of law. We shall have a countrywide peaceful demonstrations to stand with the independence of the Judiciary. We shall match peacefully and petition the Attorney General.”

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