Through his Twitter handle on Tuesday night, Ruto said the proclamation by Maraga on Tuesday evening closely resembled political declarations by the Opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) and wondered if the CJ had decided to take sides/CFM NEWS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 20 – Deputy President William Ruto criticised Chief Justice David Maraga’s statement on attacks against the Judiciary, describing the tone of the speech as political.
Through his Twitter handle on Tuesday night, Ruto said the proclamation by Maraga on Tuesday evening closely resembled political declarations by the Opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) and wondered if the CJ had decided to take sides.
So has CJ taken sides? Listening to the tone, language & drift of Maraga's lecture the only phrase missing is NASA HAO! TIBIN! & TIALALA!
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) September 19, 2017
Ruto’s attack did not however auger well with some Kenyans who urged him to respect the court regardless of his opinion on the outcome of the presidential petition.
Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua who is challenging the election of her political rival Anne Waiguru as Kirinyaga Governor said in response that respect for institutions should transcend the misgivings people may have against individuals heading them.
A judge is a judge even when they rule against you!
— Martha Karua (@MarthaKarua) September 19, 2017
In a quick rejoinder to Karua, Kikuyu legislator Kimani Ichung’wah accused Maraga of openly exhibiting his bias in the political contest between Jubilee Party and NASA, saying some of the judicial officers needed to own up to their mistakes.
our institutions are run by human beings therefore are as imperfect as human beings ! These are the systems we have chosen let's respect.
— Martha Karua (@MarthaKarua) September 19, 2017
Then they shouldn't act like they are small gods.They have exhibited their biased & should own up.We respected but disagreed with them.
— KIMANI ICHUNG'WAH (@KIMANIICHUNGWAH) September 19, 2017
In his remarks on Tuesday, the CJ said the Judiciary and its officers were prepared to pay the ultimate price in protecting the Constitution, saying they will not be intimidated.
“On our part, we’re prepared to pay the ultimate price to protect the Constitution and the rule of law,” he said flanked by JSC members who included Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, Justice Mohamed Warsame, as well as Commissioners Prof Tom Ojienda, Emily Ominde and Mercy Mwara Deche.
“Since the Supreme Court delivered the judgment on the 2017 Presidential Election Petition on September 1, 2017, these attacks have become even more aggressive, culminating in lengthy uninterrupted demonstrations right outside the Supreme Court Building,” the CJ noted.
Maraga also criticised the Inspector General of National Police Service (NPS), Joseph Boinnet, accusing him of ignoring requests to beef up the security of judges, the courts, and litigants.
“JSC notes with dismay that the IG who is expected to provide security to all Government facilities has repeatedly ignored calls to act, exposing judicial officers, property, and litigants to danger,” he claimed.
Boinnet’s office however countered the accusation saying all judicial officers had police bodyguards attached to them, their residences as well as their courts.
“The truth of the matter is that all judges have police bodyguards attached to them and their residences,” NPS Spokesperson George Kinoti stated in a press release Tuesday evening.
“We also provide security to all courthouses and as the situation demands in some circumstances we enhance security to ensure that courthouses and judicial officer are secure,” he added.
The Chief Justice who led the Supreme Court in annulling President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election in the August 8 presidential election, on September 1, is expected to convene the apex court at 10am Wednesday to issue a detailed ruling on the same.
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