Sunday September 3, 2017
The Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association and the LSK on Saturday lashed out at President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto over threats on Supreme Court Judges.
While KMJA criticized Uhuru for making derogatory attacks that border on threats to the judiciary, LSK said it is unfortunate and wholly inappropriate remarks from a head of state who is a symbol of unity.
KMJA Secretary General Bryan Khaemba said the Uhuru's disparaging remarks at a political rally in Burma market, on Friday and Statehouse Nairobi on Saturday, are veil threats.
Uhuru referred the Chief Justice David Maraga and the other Supreme Court judges as "wakora" (thugs) while addressing his supporters at Burma.
"Maraga (CJ) anjue ya kwamba anadeal na rais yule amekalia kiti"," Uhuru said.
This loosely translates to," Maraga should know that he is now dealing with a sitting president".
A majority of the Supreme Court nullified Uhuru's election win during the August 8 presidential polls and ordered IEBC to conduct a fresh presidential election within 60 days.
Khaemba said prior consensus among a wider cross section of Kenyans that the courts were the ideal forum for resolution of electoral disputes and Uhuru should respect it.
"We condemn this assault on the decisional independence of the honorable judges. In the same vein, we hasten to add that robust and focused critiques of the awaited reasoned judgement of the Supreme Court by all interested parties will be well in order," Khaemba said.
He said, "However, we ask Kenyans especially the political class to desist from personal profiling of judicial officers who are engaged in their constitutionally ordained duties."
Khaemba assured that judges and magistrates are ready and committed to resolving all the other impending electoral cases at various levels with fairness, diligence and absolute fidelity to the law as required.
The Law Society of Kenya also said Uhuru's remarks declaring that judges should wait for him after he is successful in the fresh elections are unfortunate and inappropriate.
LSK president Isaac Okero said the president is obliged to respect, uphold and safeguard the constitution.
"Those remarks violate this obligation and are condemned unreservedly by the LSK. They do not in any way lower, in the eyes of their fellow Kenyan citizens, the high esteem in which the Chief Justice and the judges of the Supreme Court of Kenya are held. The court has performed its duty," Okero said in statement to newsrooms.
He said the president enjoys immunity from civil and criminal proceedings and must, therefore, promote and enhance the unity of the nation.