- Odinga said the attacks on the judiciary are meant to intimidate judges and magistrates handling sensitised cases against the government.
- Raila while condemning the recent utterances by President William Ruto told the judges to remain unbowed.
Image: MANUEL ODENY
Opposition Raila Odinga has called on judges and judiciary not to be intimidated by attacks from executives from political leaders.
Odinga said the attacks on the judiciary are meant to intimidate judges and magistrates handling sensitised cases against the government.
Raila while condemning the recent utterances by President William Ruto told the judges to remain unbowed.
“We are dealing with a regime that disregards court orders and now they are attacking the judiciary, intimidates judges and magistrates,” Odinga said.
He said Ruto should borrow a leaf from the opposition which moved to court to challenge the presidential results in the last polls but never attacked the judiciary despite their case being strong.
“We were in the Supreme Court which ruled against us. We have not agreed to the decision despite feeling we had enough solid evidence. We have never rubbished the judiciary which is a pillar of democracy and our constitution,” Odinga said.
He said Kenyans will not allow Ruto and the executive to disregard courts and the judiciary because “Ruto himself is a product of the same judicial process”.
“We wish to tell judges and magistrates that they should not be intimidated. We as Kenyans will defend them even if it includes putting a million people march to Nairobi,” he said.
He accused Parliament of being used to push through bills and amendments in parliament that are against devolution.
“Those who fought devolution in the passing of the last constitution have regrouped and are busy writing amendments which are pushed and muzzled through parliament without any serious and in-depth debates,” he said.
He said it is sad that nowadays three bills can be passed through parliament in the same afternoon without prior debates.
“Our parliament lacks balls, speakers of both houses are out to take this country to dark days and kill devolution,” he said.
He was speaking on Friday at Rongo University grounds during the funeral of former Migori county ODM chairman Philip Makabong’o.
The funeral was attended by former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Muigori governor Ochillo Ayacko, Migori senator Eddy Oketch, Siaya governor James Orengo, Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili, Kisii governor Simba Arati and Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga.
Luo Council of Elders chairman Odungi Randa also attended the function.
Legislators Aduma Owuor (Nyakach), Ong'ondo Were (Kasipul), Peter Masara (Suna West), Joshua Oron (Kisumu Central), Walter Owino (Awendo), Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), John Mbadi (Suba South) among others.
The leaders eulogized Makabong’o as an honest, selfless and faithful party leader who was a key advisor to the party and Raila, especially on Nyanza politics.
Makabong’o who was born in 1956 and died on December 24 while receiving treatment in a local hospital.
In 2002 he unsuccessfully vied as the Rongo MP before he took up ODM party leadership, rising to the county chairmanship.