- Kenyan lawyers plan nationwide protests against President Ruto’s Judiciary criticism and court order defiance
- Purple ribbons symbolize legal support; President urged to retract statements undermining the Judiciary
- Advocates to wear yellow ribbons in peaceful demos, challenging Ruto’s disregard for court orders
Kenyan lawyers are set to stage peaceful demonstrations across the country next week in response to President William Ruto’s criticism of the Judiciary and his declared intention to defy court orders perceived as unfavorable to government projects.
LSK President Eric Theuri addressing the press.
Speaking during a press address on Wednesday, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Eric Theuri announced that legal practitioners would wear purple ribbons during the demonstrations to express solidarity with the Judiciary and uphold the rule of law.
The LSK president, joined by his deputy Faith Odhiambo, called on President Ruto to retract his statements, citing concerns about the negative impact on the justice system. Theuri stated, “Those remarks are a threat to the rule of law… we want the President to retract or else they will send very bad signals.”
He reminded the President that the same courts had upheld his election and, at another time, nullified an election result, emphasizing the need to refrain from undermining the Judiciary.
Challenging President Ruto to provide evidence of corruption against judicial officers through the appropriate channels, Theuri expressed that the attacks on the Judiciary without following legal procedures indicated an autocratic style of governance.
“We call upon the President of Kenya to avail evidence of corruption to JSC,” he asserted.
In a symbolic gesture of support for the rule of law, Theuri announced that all advocates would wear yellow ribbons during the peaceful demonstrations, which will include a nationwide march and a petition to the Attorney General.
Concluding his address, Theuri highlighted the broader implications of disregarding court orders, asking, “If the President says he can’t obey court orders, what happens to a mama mboga in court seeking justice.”
