Legal Showdown: CJ Koome Urged to Challenge Ruto Amid Escalating Tensions
Constitutional expert Miguna Miguna and various opposition figures cautioned President William Ruto against disobeying the court’s ruling that invalidated the Housing levy.
Miguna, formerly a strong advocate for Ruto, claimed that Ruto aimed to emulate his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, in undermining Chief Justice Martha Koome’s Judiciary.
He contended that the Judiciary operated autonomously according to what’s stated in the Constitution, therefore, Ruto should uphold and adhere to the principles of legal governance.
“Stop threatening the judiciary. Remember that without the Judiciary, you wouldn’t be President. You can’t pretend to protect the independence of the Judiciary through threats. If you know thieves stealing public money, let us see them charged, tried, and convicted. However, we say no to autocracy,” Miguna stated.
Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo additionally encouraged Chief Justice Koome to safeguard the Judiciary from the challenges posed by Ruto. Amollo commented that Ruto showed no regard for court decisions that did not align with his interests.
“I hope CJ Martha Koome will reconsider the soft approach to this regime and assert the full authority of courts. If this is not done, he will rig 2027 and disobey Supreme Court orders contrary,” the Senior Counsel stated.
Makau Mutua, a spokesperson for Azimio, additionally suggested that instead of issuing threats to the judges, the President should undertake a comprehensive reform of the Judiciary by removing all corrupt officials from their positions.
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Furthermore, lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi suggested to Ruto that he should enact changes within the judicial system to safeguard his agenda from being undermined by corrupt individuals within the judiciary.
During a Nyandarua burial ceremony on Tuesday, Ruto contended that the housing initiative, invalidated by the courts, was embedded within the Constitution.
He stated that he wouldn’t permit a small group of dishonest people who’ve influenced judges through bribery to undermine his agenda and progress plans for the people of Kenya. The leader accused those obstructing his plans of improperly using funds meant for the public.
“We are a democracy and we protect and respect the independence of the Judiciary. What we will not allow is judicial tyranny and impunity, I believe that the Judiciary can not be abused by a few corrupt officials,” he noted as his allies accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of sponsoring the lawsuits against the Housing Levy.
In November, the High Court deemed the 1.5% fee imposed by Ruto on Kenyans as unconstitutional. However, the court postponed the enforcement of the ruling until January 10 to permit the government to appeal the decision.
Legal Showdown: CJ Koome Urged to Challenge Ruto Amid Escalating Tensions