The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has criticized and labeled President William Ruto's recent statement, in which he suggested using the ceremonial sword to deal with opponents of the Housing Levy in court, as aggressive and reckless.
LSK President Eric Theuri expressed concern, characterizing Ruto's remarks as a veiled threat to the judiciary and litigants challenging government decisions such as the Housing Levy.
"As a society, we wish to condemn the utterances by the Head of State that he was given a sword upon inauguration and he will use that sword on people he considers to be enemies of the Republic of Kenya by virtue of them exercising their right to go to Court and challenge Government decisions, including those that have gone to Court to challenge the Housing Levy," he stated.
Theuri criticized the president's remarks, stating that Kenyans can challenge government actions in court.
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He emphasized that the courts had already ruled on the unconstitutionality of the Housing Levy, making it critical for the President to follow the law.
"The Courts have spoken about the unconstitutionality of the Housing Levy. The President should, therefore, respect the ongoing Constitutional processes and refrain from issuing such veiled threats," said Theuri.
Furthermore, the LSK boss expressed concern about potential undue influence on the judiciary, urging the courts to remain independent in protecting Kenyans' rights.
Furthermore, he expressed concern about enforced disappearances through abductions, citing previous incidents in the aftermath of the President's controversial ' mambo ni matatu' slogan, which he claims resulted in harassment of advocates and coerced case withdrawals.
"Those statements were followed by threat to parties who had cases in Court to withdraw the same, and we are aware that several advocates were harassed and intimidated for representing clients' cases, leading to their coerced withdrawals," he noted.
President Ruto stated on Saturday, December 16, during a thanksgiving mass in Kisii County, that the ceremonial sword given to him by his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, marked the transfer of power and authority to deal with hardliners.
"You are aware that I was given a sword. Do you believe it's for chopping vegetables? It's for dealing with all of these scumbags around here. "I will completely uproot them, and Kenya will move forward," the President stated.
The remark has since sparked outrage among Kenyan leaders.
"When Ruto castigates people going to court on his punitive policies and says the sword he was given is not for cutting vegetables , is he implying that it is for cutting/killing people ? Sort of reminding us what he was is capable of?" posed Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua.
