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Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who served as the fourth president of Kenya from 2013 to 2022, has faced backlash from his political opponents and civil society groups for his recent remarks against the judiciary12
In a series of tweets posted on X, a social media platform, on January 3, 2024, Kenyatta accused the current government of failing to uphold the rule of law and respect the courts. He also claimed that he had ended his predecessor’s legacy of impunity and corruption, and that the current administration was reversing his achievements3
“Why did you lie that you would end … Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy of impunity? Why would you expect ordinary Kenyans to obey and uphold laws and courts you defy? You are fermenting chaos and you soon see the fruits of chaos!” he wrote. 3
His tweets sparked a strong reaction from his former rival, Raila Odinga, who is now the leader of the opposition coalition. Odinga accused Kenyatta of undermining the independence of the judiciary and threatening the stability of the country. He also reminded him that he had only become president after the Supreme Court nullified the 2017 election results and ordered a fresh vote4
“I say No! Stop threatening the judiciary. Remember that without the judiciary, you wouldn’t be president. You can’t pretend to protect the independence of the judiciary through threats… We say No to autocracy!” Odinga tweeted in response. 3
Several civil society groups and human rights activists also condemned Kenyatta’s statements, calling them irresponsible and dangerous. They urged him to respect the separation of powers and the constitutional order, and to refrain from inciting violence and hatred5
Kenyatta has not responded to the criticism, but his allies have defended him, saying that he has the right to express his opinion and that he was only highlighting the failures of the current government. They also accused Odinga and his supporters of being hypocritical and opportunistic, and of trying to silence dissenting voices6
The controversy comes at a time when Kenya is preparing for the next general elections, scheduled for August 2024. The political climate is tense, as the main parties are jostling for power and influence. The role of the judiciary is also under scrutiny, as it is expected to arbitrate any disputes that may arise from the electoral process7
1: Uhuru Kenyatta - Wikipedia 2: Uhuru Kenyatta | Biography, Family, & Wealth | Britannica 3: x (@x) | Twitter 4: India vs Australia 3rd T20I Highlights: India beat Australia by 6 … 5: X - Rotten Tomatoes 6: X Bar Symbol (x̄) 7: X, x | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
