Politicians from across the political divide have condemned president Uhuru Kenyatta over his bias in the appointment of 34 out of the 40 Judges recommended for appointment by the Judicial Service Commission.
They have decried the failure by Uhuru to appoint Justice George Odunga and Joel Ngugi, who were among the bench that declared BBI bill process unconstitutional.
The politicians from Jubilee, ODM as well as those allied to William Ruto termed this as one of Uhuru’s “we shall revisit” strategies.
According to them, Uhuru not only made unlawful appointments but also acted in a manner to curtail the independence of the judiciary.
Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua has yet again warned president Uhuru against intimidation of the judiciary.
“Cherry-picking of JSC appointees may amount to deliberate intimidation of Kenya judiciary especially in view of the uncalled-for attacks of the institution by the president in Kisumu coupled with the pending BBI Appeal we must stand firm to LindaKatiba,” she said.
Here are some of the politicians who have condemned Uhuru on biased appointments.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo said;
“On this, we must be plain, the president cannot select which judges to gazette after JSC recommendation.”
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said;
“I am not so worried about what Uhuru has done on judicial appointments. His time is running out. I am more worried by the thought that all judicial appointments in the future will depend on the wishes of the president. makes nonsense of judicial independence under our constitution.”
Homabay Town MP Peter Kaluma said;
“I don’t agree with the BBI judgement, but I hope it is not the reason judge Odunga and Judge Ngugi have not been appointed to the Court of Appeal. Together with Judge Muchelule and Korir, they are among our best brains on the bench. Waiting to see how CJ Koome will resolve this!”
Soy MP Caleb Kositanny also weighed in;
“All courts including the BBI appeal team should down their tools until all the 41 Judges are gazetted. Fight for your career.”
Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said;
“Dear Mr President, drop this shaddowboxing, obey the constitution.”
Constitutionally, the president is required to gazette all the 41 judges that were presented to him by the Judicial Service Commission.
Before his retirement, Chief Justice David Maraga stood firm against reducing the number of judges to be appointed.
“All or none,” David Maraga said.
However, president Uhuru downplayed the order and left out 6 out of the 41 judges.
One of the judges died, leaving only 40 in Uhuru’s list.
During the Madaraka day celebrations, president Uhuru openly called out the Judiciary over the nullification of the BBI report.
He accused the judges of going against the will of the people.
The president himself is on the spot for defying various court orders.
This includes the illegal transfer of the Kenya Meat Commission from the Ministry of Agriculture to that of Defence.
An unapologetic Uhuru went ahead to launch the new KMC despite an order by Justice Mrima to stop the transfer.
