Lawyers' protest still on, LSK says

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has maintained that lawyers will be holding a demonstration on Friday, January 12.

Speaking on Spice FM's breakfast show on Thursday, January 11, LSK Vice President Faith Odhiambo said that the lawyers would be meeting at the Supreme Court at 10am tomorrow, to begin the procession in Nairobi.

LSK is protesting against the Executive led by President William Ruto who, last week, accused the Judiciary of corruption. 

The president claimed that some rulings made by the Judiciary were slowing down the implementation of the Kenya Kwanza development agenda.

"We are telling the Executive that they have to obey court orders. If they believe there is corruption, because there will always be a few rotten apples, let them table the evidence and go through the due process; but you cannot label everyone corrupt for purposes that suit you," said Odhiambo. 

She added; "When the Judiciary is singing to your tune, you support them, give them more money, sing their praises and host them at State House. But when they call out the president and say he is wrong, then they are labelled as corrupt or are called thieves."

LSK President Eric Theuri, in a statement issued on Wednesday, January 3, accused the President of undermining the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary, which he said was “a cornerstone of democracy.”

“It is imperative to remind our esteemed president that the Judiciary, through its impartial interventions, has both nullified a prior presidential election and, at another juncture, upheld his very own election. This underscores the exalted role of a robust and independent judiciary in fostering national growth, stability, and economic prosperity,” said Theuri.

The LSK president further urged Ruto to refrain from “public incitement” against the judiciary and instead use legal avenues to challenge decisions that he finds aggrieving.

President Ruto is on record claiming that some judges are colluding with the Opposition to frustrate government programmes.