Nairobi, Kenya – The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called for nationwide protests against President William Ruto’s remarks on the conduct of the Judiciary.
Ruto accused a section of the judiciary of corrupt dealings aimed at sabotaging his administration’s developments.
How lawyers will protest Ruto’s attacks on judiciary
LSK President Eric Theuri said all members will wear purple ribbons in a peaceful demonstration next week.
“The Law Society of Kenya will call its members to a countrywide peaceful purple ribbon protest march next week to affirm our oath publicly to defend the constitution, rule of law & the independence of the Judiciary,” said Theuri in a tweet seen by News 9 kenya on Wednesday, January 3.
Alongside the sword, the President was given the Constitution. The sword is intended to protect & uphold the Constitution& is not an instrument of oppression. As advocates, we similarly took an oath to protect the Constitution & rule of law. We will do so candidly, boldly & won't… pic.twitter.com/kYDhBgB9gq
— Eric theuri (@etadv) December 16, 2023
This followed recent remarks by the head of state, claiming that the corrupt court officials are colluding with the opposition to prevent the implementation of the Kenya Kwanza government projects.
Is Ruto defying court orders?
The high court declared the housing levy collected to support the government’s affordable housing unconstitutional.
This came after six months of tax collection, which the president said has significantly created jobs for thousands of Kenyans.
Speaking in Nyanduarua County on Tuesday, January 2, the head of state vowed to defy the orders blocking the levy collection by January 10, 2024.
Is housing levy, SHIF constitutional?
He also cited the order blocking the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) until March this year.
Ruto said the two programmes were highlighted in the Kenya Kwanza manifesto, which Kenyans voted for in the August 8, 2022 elections.
He also noted that the programmes have been approved by parliament and are well enshrined by the constitution, which is supreme.
“Let me ask, should I continue with the housing programme that will give you 5,000 jobs or not? This is a programme we have approved, and it is in the constitution, which is supreme,” Ruto asked residents of Nyandarua.
President William Ruto now says Housing program will continue despite court orders
"Housing program is enshrined in our constitution. The constitution is supreme."
.#UzalendoNews | #Kenya | Rachel Ruto pic.twitter.com/oZEIinzmyv— Uzalendo News (@UzalendoNews_KE) January 2, 2024
“That same constitution stipulates that every Kenyan is entitled to the highest standards of healthcare. In our manifesto, we had plans for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and this has been approved by parliament. Therefore, no one should stop what the is in the constitution,” added Ruto.
The president warned the judiciary, saying a few individuals who have been benefitting from the NHIF embezzlement are using the courts to fight back.
