The Judiciary on Tuesday dismissed reports suggesting that Chief Justice Martha Koome will meet President William Ruto on Tuesday over alleged intimidation of judges by State House officials.
While clarifying the allegations, the Judiciary flagged a post purporting the alleged meeting as fake, urging Kenyans to desist from falling for such information without proper verification.
The Judiciary was forced to set the record straight after fake reports emerged suggesting that CJ Koome would meet the Head of State on Tuesday, October 22 to deliberate on allegations of harassment of judges by State House officials.
According to the flagged post, a section of anonymous State House officials reportedly intimidated judges to divert their stance on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment cases.
The clarification followed moments before the commencement of the hearing of a petition filed by the former deputy president challenging his impeachment.
The three-judge bench led by Eric Ogolla, Anthony Mrima and Fridah Mugambi is expected to rule on whether to extend the orders barring Kithure Kindki's swearing-in as the new deputy president or lift the directive.
Initial attempts by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor to have the orders vacated were dismissed by the three-judge bench with the judges setting October 22 as the date for the hearing of the consolidated cases filed by Gachagua's legal team.
On October 18, Justice Chacha Mwita issued conservatory orders barring the appointment of Kithure Kindiki as the new deputy president, replacing Rigathi Gachagua who was impeached by the Senate on Thursday, October 17.
According to Justice Chacha Mwita, the petition filed by Gachagua's legal team raised critical constitutional issues that not only touched on the heart of the functionality of the constitution but also on the tenets of the rule of law.
The High Court judge also noted that the petition also raised substantial questions on the rule of law and public interest and therefore fit to be heard by a bench of judges appointed by the Chief Justice. While granting the orders, Justice Chacha Mwita directed the petitioners to share the petition with the respondents within three days.
Similar orders were issued by a High Court in Kerugoya that also barred the swearing-in of Kithure Kindiki as the new DP until the petition was heard and determined.
Kindiki's swearing-in which had been scheduled to take place at the Nyayo Gardens on Saturday, October 19 was postponed following the two court orders that temporarily suspended the much-anticipated ceremony.
