Kenyan president threatens to disobey court orders from ‘corrupt judges’
Kenyan president threatens to disobey court orders from ‘corrupt judges’
Kenyan President William Ruto has faced an outpouring of criticism after his threat to defy court orders issued by “corrupt judges”.
On Tuesday, Mr. Ruto accused unnamed judges of colluding with opposition politicians and “cartels” to obstruct government projects, prompting a swift response from Chief Justice Martha Koome.
In a statement, Chief Justice Koome highlighted that disregarding court orders represents a breach of the public trust placed in state and public officers.
She emphasised the peril to the rule of law and the potential for anarchy when state or public officers threaten to defy court orders.
Additionally, she urged judges to continue fulfilling their judicial duties without bias.
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Opposition leader Raila Odinga condemned Mr. Ruto’s remarks, deeming them as intimidation and a dismissal of the rule of law.
Odinga asserted that the president had overstepped boundaries with his attacks directed at judges.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Judicial Service Commission (JSC), chaired by Chief Justice Koome, expressed concern over the president’s statements in a separate statement.
The Law Society of Kenya has called for nationwide protests in solidarity with the judiciary in response to the president’s remarks.
However, Mr. Ruto, in a statement issued by government spokesperson Hussein Mohammed on Wednesday, pledged to combat what he labeled as “judicial impunity”.
President Ruto, who assumed office in September 2022, has faced criticism for introducing new taxes amidst a rising cost of living.
Court challenges have been raised against two new taxes—the housing levy and proposed universal health cover deductions—whose respective rulings are pending.