Anti judiciary banners dot the city

Pic courtesy

Kenyans today woke up to banners erected on footbridges in different parts of the city and across major roads in the country castigating the Judiciary for slow implementation of its mandate.

The banners carried different messages highlighting instances where the Judiciary has negated its responsibility for access to justice. One banner read,"Akashas were free in Kenya for over 4 years with cases but were jailed in 2 months by a U.S. court." Another read,"Will Kidero, Sonko or Waititu ever step in jail for corruption? We demand a working Judiciary free of corrupt judges now."

It is not yet clear who is behind the anti judiciary banners. In the recent past the Judiciary has come under attack from the Executive and members of the public who feel that accessing justice in Kenya takes longer than expected. 

After the annulment of the presidential poll in 2017,President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto led a scathing attack on the Judiciary. "The judgement of a few people has reversed all the gains we have made over the years,"said Kenyatta.

Last week while presiding over the State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice report 2018/19, President Kenyatta slammed the Judiciary for issuing court injunctions on government taxation measures.

“Ask yourselves serious questions when you give injunctions because I appreciate what Chief Justice is saying you need more money but Chief Justice your courts are the same ones when we propose certain tax measures, you are the first ones to issue injunctions, then later you ask for money. Where will it come from?” Kenyatta asked. He was responding to a request by Chief Justice David Maraga to increase the Judiciary allocation.

"We are not asking for too much money, let us be considered as an arm of Government. All we are asking for is 2.5% of the budget," Maraga begged.

President Kenyatta has on various occasions challenged the Judiciary to up its game in the collective fight against corruption.

“As we soldier on in this fight, I seek the indulgence of the Judiciary. Now the Judiciary should give us convictions as an indication that we are winning this war," said Kenyatta.