The government yesterday said nobody will be forced to display President Uhuru Kenyatta’s portrait in their business or office.
Two weeks ago, Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga urged all 24 Cord governors to remove Uhuru’s portrait from their offices and replace it with that of their coalition leader Raila Odinga.
He later said he only meant Raila’s portrait should also be displayed.
“No one is forcing anyone to do anything. I think portraits have been up in terms of existing tradition… and it is one that we are not fleeing away from,” State House spokeman Manoah Esipisu said during a press conference at State House.
He said no legal action can be taken against people who pull down the portraits.
Displaying the President’s portrait has been a tradition since the administrations of President Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Moi.
It is not a legal requirement under the constitution.
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Meanwhile, Esipisu said the President is yet to receive the file on Supreme Court judge Philip Tunoi so he forms a tribunal.
Tunoi is accused of receiving Sh200 million to rule in favour of Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero in a petition challenging his election.
Esipisu said when the petition reaches his desk, “the process will evolve categorically”.
“Within 14 days of receiving the petition from the Judicial Service Commission, the President shall suspend the judge from office and appoint a tribunal,” he said.
Esipisu said the tribunal will consist seven members who shall hold or have held office as judges of a superior court, or have qualified as such.
They shall not have been members of the JSC for the past three years.
Esipisu said the fifth member of the tribunal will have been an advocate for at least 15 years and the last two members must be qualified practitioners in public affairs.
“The tribunal will inquire into the matter expeditiously, report on the facts and make binding recommendations to the President,” he said.