- Kalonzo said that it's now evident that despite claiming to uphold the rule of law, the current administration does not.
- The former vice president urged the judiciary to remain steadfast in protecting the rights of Kenyans.
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Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has called out the President William Ruto-led administration over their attacks on the judiciary.
In a statement on Thursday, Kalonzo said that it's now evident that despite claiming to uphold the rule of law, the current administration does not.
"It is now evident that those who pretend to uphold the rule of law are now clearly exposing their true colours. They have paid lip service to the cardinal principles of the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010," he said.
He noted that whenever there are allegations of misconduct from judicial officers, there is a clear legal process for taking action against them.
The former vice president urged the judiciary to remain steadfast in protecting the rights of Kenyans.
"When there are allegations of corruption by some judicial officers, there is a clear framework in place to investigate them, notably the Judicial Service Act of 2011."
Kalonzo added that he also agrees with the Law Society of Kenya's move to call for countrywide demonstrations over President William Ruto's alleged attacks on the judiciary.
Ruto for the second time in a week launched a scathing attack on what he termed corrupt judicial officers working in cahoots with graft cartels to stall his development agenda.
An agitated President went further to declare that his administration would defy judgements made by corrupt courts.
“Our Judiciary, we respect you but judicial impunity by corrupt judicial officers must stop in Kenya. We will stop it and whatever it takes,” he said.
The President's sustained criticism of the Judiciary triggered national uproar, that saw various groups issue statements to condemn his utterances.
Chief Justice Martha Koome told off Ruto, asking judges to ignore the threats and discharge their duties without fear or favour.
"This recurring trend of discussing in public live matters in court is a matter of great concern as it tends to threaten and intimidate judges and judicial officers to rule in a certain way in matters involving government policy," she said.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga lashed out at the President for labelling the Judiciary as corrupt, saying the Head of State has crossed the line.
He said Ruto's threats against the Judiciary amount to intimidation and disregard of the rule of law and serve as a diversionary tactic from the pressing social and economic pressures facing Kenyans.
"If there was ever any doubt about the malevolent intent of the Kenya Kwanza regime in regard to the Constitution of Kenya, yesterday’s attack by William Ruto on the Judiciary removes all the doubt," Raila said.
The Law Society of Kenya called on all its members to hold peaceful protests next week in solidarity with the Judiciary.
LSK president Eric Theuri challenged the President to present evidence of the alleged corrupt judges to the JSC and refrain from roadside statements that undermine the Judiciary.