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Critics are calling for nationwide protests to protect the judiciary’s independence and respect for the rule of law
William Ruto’s vituperative comments on the judiciary are precipitating country-wide protests. Judges, lawyers, legal experts, and opposition groups took on him after his controversial statement that he would not respect court orders that undermined key policies of his administration. Critics are calling for nationwide protests to protect the judiciary’s independence and respect for the rule of law.
Kenyan lawyers have called for a demonstration following comments from President William Ruto. The head of the Law Society of Kenya, Eric Theuri, said they would be marching in support of Kenya’s judges. The lawyers’ association has called on each of its members to wear a purple ribbon next week to show their displeasure with the attack on the country’s judicial system.
President Ruto said he would ignore some court orders that he saw as aimed at stalling government development programs and accused some judges of corruption and working with those filing cases against his government’s economic plans. The government led by Ruto has made the construction of affordable houses and the provision of universal healthcare two of his top priorities. But critics say in implementing the plans, the government is trampling over the legal process. A Kenyan court stopped the government’s plan to raise taxes to construct the houses, saying it was unconstitutional and discriminatory, a decision that has angered the executive.
In a statement, Kenyan Chief Justice Martha Koome condemned the president’s remarks on matters that are still before the court. Koome called on judges to fulfill their duties in accordance with the law and the Constitution. She said the Judicial Service Commission will protect the targeted judges.
Kenya has a history of political violence and ethnic conflict, especially during election campaigns. The constitution passed in 2010 gave the judiciary independence to do its work without the interference of the government, a freedom that has given Kenyans increased confidence in the judiciary.
Despite the criticism, the government has vowed to crack down on allegedly corrupt judges and judicial officers. Many Kenyans hope any future action does not affect people’s confidence in the country’s judicial system, which has taken decades to build. The government suffered a major setback in November when a High Court in Nairobi declared a housing levy Ruto introduced unconstitutional. According to the judges, the plan to raise taxes to construct affordable homes was unconstitutional and discriminatory, a declaration that angered the executive.
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Like Ruto, his immediate predecessor Kenyatta faced legal challenges after proposing to tax Kenyans to fund the project. A court blocked this bid in 2018, prompting him to partner with financial institutions and private developers.
