The judiciary on Monday expressed concern over a recent uptick in derogatory social media remarks directed towards the Supreme Court’s seven judges, labeling the attack as “sponsored.”
The Judiciary underlined that the court had rendered a unanimous decision and had operated as a single, coherent body.
This was in reference to the judges’ ruling dismissing the presidential petition lodged on August 22.
“The persons sponsoring and executing the attacks on social media to disparage the court are advised to desist forthwith,” it said.
The Judiciary added that it has not finished writing its full decision, which will explain why the election of President-elect William Ruto was affirmed.
“There is a legal provision of 21 days following the reading of the short version of the judgement which will shed light and provide clarity on the grounds and rationale of the Court,” the statement read.
The court also denied allegations that several of its judges had submitted letters of resignation, stating that none of the seven justices had any justification for doing so since the “court is working in harmony as a cohesive unit”.
“The court has seven judges who are independent and highly respectful of each other as equals. A unanimous judgement is a collective decision made by the court and not by an individual.”
This comes hours after Siaya Governor James Orengo publicly criticized the Supreme Court’s decision, calling it unconvincing and intended to push a political agenda.
Speaking in Gem Constituency, the county chief termed the decision to uphold Dr Ruto’s election “shameful and regrettable”, adding that it was an embarrassment to those who fought for judicial independence.
“We thought that after the former Chief Justice David Maraga had retired, we would have judges standing for the rule of law. The Chief Justice (Martha Koome) has brought shame to the Judiciary,” said Orengo.
“The people fought for the independence of the judiciary and Raila Odinga (Azimio Presidential candidate) was jailed for years fighting for judicial reforms. Instead the seven judges brought shame by watering down all the efforts of the patriotic Kenyans,” he added.
He continued: “The judgment that they rendered was not was not a judicial judgment because the literature contained in it was not judicial. It was meant to serve a political purpose that had nothing to do with the law.”
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