Kenyan lawyer Miguna Miguna has advised President William Ruto to avoid autocratic tendencies and refrain from making threats against the Judiciary. Miguna cautioned the Head of State against heeding the advice of allies who advocate for actions beyond legal bounds, especially in cases involving crucial government policies.
“Let me offer President William Ruto a free but crucial piece of advice: Cease threatening the judiciary. Cease threatening Kenyan litigants. While corruption exists in every sector of Kenyan society, including State House Kenya where you reside and work, these issues should be addressed through the legal system, not through threats or extrajudicial means,” Miguna stated.
He reminded the president that without the judiciary, he wouldn’t hold his current position and emphasized that protecting the independence of the judiciary cannot be achieved through threats.
“If you are aware of individuals stealing public funds (including those you shield like Atwoli), let us witness their charges, trials, and convictions. However, we reject autocracy!” he added.
Miguna also pointed out that Kenya has established lawful mechanisms for bringing about structural transformation in society and urged the President to utilize them.
“We have numerous strategies and tactics for combating grand corruption in Kenya. However, autocratic methods are not among them. Avoid autocracy and those urging you to take the wrong path, as there are still plenty of patriotic Kenyans willing to sacrifice their lives in defense of the Constitution, Democracy, and the Rule of Law!” the lawyer emphasized.
The president recently accused some judicial officers of corruption and alleged that they were assisting a few individuals in obstructing government projects. The high court recently halted the enforcement and implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund Act 2023, the Primary Health Care Act 2023, and the Digital Health Act 2023 until a legal challenge against their legality is heard.
