Chief Justice Martha Koome has condemned President William Ruto’s utterances against the Judiciary.
In a statement dated Wednesday January 3, CJ Koome noted that the attacks on Judiciary were unwarranted.
The CJ went ahead to urge the judges and judicial staff to continue exercising their duties in accordance with the law and without any undue influence from any authority, adding that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will protect them.
“My Office and the Judicial Service Commission have made it clear to the other arms of government and to the general public that the proper way to challenge a court decision, if one is dissatisfied, is to appeal or seek review in a higher court. Attacking judges and Judicial Officer who made a decision in the public undermine all the values of our Constitutional order,” she stated.
“Such attacks or comments when made on matters which are pending before any court also violate the sub judice imperative which is a rule of law derivative and therefore a foundational national value and principle of our nation, as stated in Article 10 of the Constitution.”
Koome added: “When State or public officers threaten to defy court orders, the rule of law is imperiled setting stage for anarchy to prevail in a nation. Indeed, defying court orders would breach the public trust vested in State and Public Officers who should at all times act in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and objects of the Constitution.
The CJ went ahead to add that allegations of corruption in the Judiciary, as was made by the Head of State, should be presented to the JSC, and not discussed in public events.
She further pledged to engage with the two other arms if government, the Executive and the Legislature, in a bid to obtain information on the said corruption claims and seek to address them.
She further pledged to engage with the two other arms if government, the Executive and the Legislature, in a bid to obtain information on the said corruption claims and seek to address them.
“Declarations of corruption in public events and activities without corresponding procedural reporting mechanisms exposes an institution such as the Judiciary to public suspicion and distrust,” she stated.
“This trend, if let to continue will break down the governance structures set up by the Constitution exposing Kenya to anarchism as opposed to democratic reverence and the rule of law.”
Ruto had accused some judicial officers of sabotaging his Affordable Housing agenda and Social Health Care plan through graft.
He thus vowed to ignore their orders and continue with the implementation of his agenda.
