Judiciary stands firm against ‘public lynching’ of judges

The Judiciary has condemned attacks on judges, disrespect for court processes by government officials and other parties.

Through the Chief Registrar of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Anne Amadi, the Judiciary expressed its outrage at the emerging trend where Government officials and other parties have engaged in open manifestation of disrespect to the courts and judicial process in the country.

This was during the JSC’s first full sitting of the Year 2017 under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice, David Maraga.

“The Commission discussed a range of issues touching on the dispensation of justice by courts and took stock of recent events that have impacted the administration of justice,” read the JSC statement in part.

During the meeting, JSC asked all Kenyans to respect and promote the independence of the Judiciary in dispute resolution and advised any party dissatisfied with a court decision to exercise their right of appeal.

The Judiciary stated that it shall stand firmly against the ‘public lynching’ of judges or magistrates for their decisions.

“The Commission reiterated its objection to recent verbal attacks by the leader of Majority in Parliament, Aden Duale, on a High Court Judge, Justice George Odunga, over a court matter the latter was handling in December, 2016,” said JSC in a statement.

“JSC supported the statement by Chief Justice Maraga in which he defended the judge and the Judiciary against such attacks.”

The Commission was emphatic that the rule of law is the basis of any civilised and democratic society and that any action or conduct that undermines the administration of justice by the courts must be condemned if not punished, otherwise the country would slide to anarchy.

JSC also discussed other cases of disobedience to courts and cautioned against raw and irresponsible exercise of power which could undermine public confidence in the Judiciary.

The Commission further assured Kenyans that the Judiciary was fully prepared to play its part in the resolution of any disputes and petitions that may arise from this year’s General Election.