A section of Azimio la Umoja leaders have reprimanded President William Ruto over blatant disregard of the constitution following his veiled attack at the Judiciary.
In an ominous speech on Tuesday, January 2, the Head of State sustained an attack on the Judiciary accusing some officials of being beneficiaries of graft.
The President who lamented over sabotage of his legacy projects, Universal Health Care and Affordable Housing, made it clear that his government will not allow it to continue.
“Our Judiciary, we respect you but judicial impunity by corrupt judicial officers must stop in Kenya...we’ll stop it and whatever it takes,” he said.
His sentiments attracted criticisms from a section of the opposition leaders. Led by Azimio Principal and former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, they accused Ruto of undermining the rule of law.
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"If we are to choose which courts to obey and which ones not to obey,to that extent will we be courting disaster by undermining the rule of law, especially by a Regime whose legitimacy hangs on a thread of a decision by the same Courts? Dangerously reckless talk, should Azimio revisit?" Wamalwa wrote.
Narok Senator on his side warned President Ruto of grave repercussions in turning against the Judiciary.
"Any accounting officer who defies court orders will be held personally liable! Article 226 (5) of the constitution does not offer anyone immunity! You will be roasted alone and we will sue you in your own capacity- every one of you," Ledama indicated.
Siaya Governor James Orengo on his side castigated the Head of State warning him that he had no powers to overturn court decisions.
"This is infamy to our constitutional order. There is always a legal mechanism of overturning judicial decisions obtained by fraud or for cleaning a rogue judiciary. The office of the president has many tools, and disobedience of inconvenient court orders is certainly not one of them. But every citizen, including public officers, have the power to defy illegal orders from their superiors."
"Mr President, the ceremonial sword of the Commander-in-Chief symbolizes protection of the Constitution, it is not for the decapitation of Kenyans and those who disagree with you," Senator Kajwang wondered.
Former Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Murithi on his side wrote,"How can you tell when the judiciary is defending the constitution and the will of the people, and when they are "sabotaging" government?"
However, Ruto received support from a section of Kenya Kwanza leaders including his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua and Leader of the Majority Kimani Ichung'wah.
