Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF) on Monday, January 15, faulted President William Ruto's description of the judiciary as tyrannical and riddled with impunity.
In a statement, AJFF further condemned Ruto for accusing Chief Justice Martha Koome-led Judiciary of collaborating with some opposition figures to frustrate the government agenda.
AJFF regretted that the utterances by the President were an attack on the independence of the Judiciary and also posed a threat to its existence.
“Ruto’s utterances concerning the Judiciary have the effect of intimidating judicial officers from exercising their functions impartially, especially considering that the courts are currently seized with cases in which the legality of certain government policies is being challenged,” the statement read in part.
Additionally, AJFF interpreted the attacks as erasing public confidence in the independence of the Judiciary.
Explaining its reasoning, AJFF argued that should the courts rule in favour of the government's agenda, it would be interpreted by the public as bowing to Ruto’s threats.
President William Ruto and other members of the Kenya Kwanza administration have persistently painted the Judicial Service Commission as inept in dealing with corrupt judges.
The judges, similar to CJ Martha Koome, urged Ruto to follow the laid down procedure for removing corrupt judicial officers from office.
Instead of playing to the court of public opinion, he was requested to table any evidence he had on corrupt judges and magistrates.
“Further, AJJF urges the President and government officials to refrain from making public utterances which undermine the independence of the judiciary or unfairly diminish public confidence in the independence of the judiciary, as this has the potential effect of undermining constitutional democracy and could lead to a breakdown of law and order,” the statement read.
Earlier, Chief Justice Martha Koome revealed that she had written to the President seeking a meeting to end the strife between the Executive and Judiciary.
Speaking outside the Supreme Court, CJ Koome promised that the JSC would investigate any judicial officers should evidence be tabled pointing to misconduct or any other serious grievances.
Responding to the escalated onslaught on the judiciary, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna asked CJ Koome to be more decisive and retaliate against the government.
"The next time you address the nation, you should announce that judicial officers shall forthwith down tools in all cases currently pending involving National Government institutions,” he stated.
"It is insulting for a judge to sit and listen to this rogue regime argue cases before them knowing full well that they will later be called corrupt and their decision ignored anyway," Sifuna remarked adding that the entire Judiciary should deny audience to all national government institutions in any cases pending or yet to be filed.
