Lawyers, under their umbrella body Law Society of Kenya (LSK), have been aggrieved by the recent actions of the government regarding disobeying of court orders.
The group has been staging a Yellow Ribbon campaign to express anger in the disregard of the law exhibited by a section of government officials.
According to the lawyers, Defence CS Raychelle Omamo instigated the use of the Yellow Ribbon 16 years ago while serving as the Chair of the LSK.
LSK quotes CS Omamo to have termed the yellow ribbon as a symbol of “Kenya’s vibrancy, tenacity and commitment to justice,” a position they accuse the government of compromising.
"Those words (by CS Omamo) ring true today. We protest the level of impunity shown by state and public officers a threat to the rule of law," the statement by LSK read.
16 years ago Raychelle Omamo, then Chair of the LSK, said Yellow Ribbon symbolizes “Kenya’s vibrancy, tenacity and commitment to justice”. Those words ring true today. We protest the level of impunity shown by state and public officers a threat to the rule of law #ObeyTheLaw pic.twitter.com/g94A63qjcU
— Law Society of Kenya (@lawsocietykenya) February 13, 2018
This has seen lawyers stage protests and threaten to boycott court sessions as an expression of their grievance towards the actions of the government.
Interestingly, the lawyers are drawing inspiration from the words of CS Omamo to condemn the behaviour of the government that has seen them launch charges of contempt of court against Inspector General of Police (IG) Joseph Boinnet and Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti.
The lawyers have been holding Yellow Ribbon Campaign March under the slogans #ObeyTheLaw and #ObeyCourtOrders.
In their plea, the lawyers have indicated that it is the obligation of everyone to obey and comply with court orders regardless their position in the government.
Further, the lawyers urged the Executive to respect the independence of the Judiciary and uphold the rule of law including obeying court orders.
Advocate Harun Ndubi stated: “The penalty for Disobedience of court orders should be reviewed and enhanced to reduce cases of disobedience.”
On his part, Dr. Charles Khamalla argued: “Any senior Government official who disobeys court orders should be imprisoned for disobedience of court orders that’s the only way the rule of law will be upheld.”
“Any public officer who violates the rule of law and disobeys court orders must be removed from office,” Advocate Bwire Miller stated.
The government has in the past appeared to ignore orders issued against a crackdown on TV closure, revocation of firearms and the arrest and deportation of Lawyer Miguna Miguna to Canada.
