Raila slams Ruto on threats to the Judiciary
Azimio leader Raila Odinga castigates William Ruto for threatening the Judiciary on accusations of sabotaging government projects
Azimio leader Raila Odinga castigates William Ruto for threatening the Judiciary on accusations of sabotaging government projects
In an address to the media in Mombasa on Wednesday, Raila termed the attacks by the President on Tuesday as “unacceptable,” terming it a sign of an “impending absolute dictatorship” in the nation.
As he vowed to lead a battle against attacks on the judicial system, Raila recalled a period in previous regimes where he said the Judiciary had been captured to serve the whims of the Executive.
The Azimio leader claims Ruto’s statements serve to scare the judiciary, allowing judges to consistently rule in the administration’s favor.
In addition, the former premier went on to fault Ruto for accusing the Judiciary of corruption, reiterating that it is the Executive he heads that is at the core of graft with the country allegedly losing billions in fraudulent schemes orchestrated by his Cabinet and still remaining silent.
“Ruto wants to establish an absolute dictatorship. Kenyans know we have been here before. We have seen days when judges heard cases in the dead of the night, way past official working hours, and sent opponents of the State to jail. Kenyans know we have seen days when judges got transferred, sacked or, even got poisoned for delivering rulings that did not favour the State,” he said.
“The current level of political and personal attacks on the Judiciary by Mr Ruto is therefore completely unacceptable. Ruto has crossed the line and we will not allow it.”
“This is about where Ruto wishes to take Kenya and what it means for Kenyans. Having captured Parliament, Ruto now wants to intimidate, subdue, and capture the Judiciary. He wants Judges not to hear cases against his policies, dismiss such cases or always rule in his favour,” he stated.
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Raila further accused the President of betraying the Judiciary a year after the same institution upheld his election victor, thereby handing him keys to the kingdom.
The Head of State, he said, is “the biggest political beneficiary of judicial decisions in Kenya’s history,” and Ruto should follow the court’s directions even though the judiciary ruled against Azimio in the presidential election petition.
“Azimio complained and still holds its position that no justice was done in 2022 but we have at every corner stood unwavering in our respect for the Judiciary, its judges, and decisions,” Raila said.
“Ruto’s entire political career has been saved by the Judiciary… After executing a civilian coup in the election of 2022 and receiving backing from the Judiciary in the illegality, Ruto has now turned upon the institution he deceptively seduced with false assurances that he had credentials in the rule of law.”
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