LSK To Hold Countrywide Protests Over William Ruto's Judiciary Remarks: "Retract"

• Kenyan lawyers have called for nationwide demonstrations against recent threatening remarks by President William Ruto
• Law Society of Kenya boss Eric Theuri challenged the president to produce evidence supporting his allegations to the Judicial Service Commission
• He further directed all lawyers and legal practitioners to put on yellow ribbons beginning next week to show solidarity with the justice system

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) plans to stage peaceful protests next week to show solidarity with the Judiciary after President William Ruto issued threats and promised to defy court orders.

Why does LSK call for protests?

In a press briefing on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, LSK president Eric Theuri urged the president to retract his remarks on the judiciary and rule of law.

“We’re concerned, as LSK, that we begin the year with a dark cloud hovering around the justice system following remarks by the president. Those remarks are a threat to the rule of law. We want the president to retract, or else they will send very bad signals,” he said.

He added:

“If the president says he can’t obey court orders, what happens to a mama mboga in court seeking justice?"

Further, Theuri challenged the first in command to produce corruption evidence to the Judicial Service Commission supporting his corruption allegations.

Theuri directed all lawyers and legal practitioners to put on yellow ribbons at the start of next week to show support for the rule of law.

“All advocates will put on yellow ribbons beginning next week to signify their support for the rule of law. We shall have a countrywide peaceful demonstration to stand for the independence of the Judiciary. We shall match peacefully and petition the Attorney General.”

The LSK boss informed the president that the Judiciary is an independent entity and acts on evidence provided by claimants in all court cases, reminding him of his win in the August 9, 2022, polls.

“We remind the president that the same courts upheld his election based on impartiality and at one time nullified another. The President should refrain from undermining the Judiciary.”

Refrain from using threats, Miguna tells Ruto

In an earlier statement, Miguna Miguna called on the president to abandon the use of threats and, instead, advocate for adherence to the constitution when dealing with corrupt officials.

"Let me give President William Ruto free but important advice: Stop threatening the judiciary. Stop threatening Kenyan litigants. Yes, there is corruption in every sector of Kenyan society, including at the State House, where you reside and work. These need to be dealt with by the law. Not through threats or extrajudicial means," he said.

Miguna accused the president of depending on sycophants, alleging that their advice posed a threat to the well-being of the Kenyan populace.

Ruto had accused the Judiciary of corruption and urged his executive to disregard orders that aimed at impeding his development agenda.

“Judicial impunity must stop in Kenya. We will stop it. Now the court is saying we shouldn't build until the judiciary gives us an okay. Just do it, Mr. PS Mbugua; allocate funds for this road so we can start work,” he said.