Raila Odinga Slams William Ruto Over His Tirade Towards Judiciary: "You've Crossed The Line"

• Raila Odinga accused Ruto of attempting to intimidate and control the Judiciary, with the aim of having judges dismiss cases against his policies or always rule in his favour
• Despite acknowledging the presence of corrupt elements within its ranks, Odinga stated that the Executive under Ruto was more corrupt
• Odinga urged the Judiciary to maintain their professionalism and independence and not to let Ruto’s emotions influence their decisions

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Mombasa - Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga has blasted President William Ruto over his recent remarks against the Judiciary.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, January 3, the ODM leader claimed Ruto was out to intimidate and get the Judiciary under his control.

The former premier stated that Ruto's main agenda was to have judges not hearing cases against his policies, dismiss such cases or always rule in his favour.

"This is not about the Judiciary, this is about where Ruto wishes to take Kenya and what it means for Kenyans. Having captured Parliament, Ruto now wants to intimidate, subdue and capture the Judiciary. He wants judges not to hear cases against his policies, dismiss such cases or always rule in his favour. In other words, Ruto wants to establish an absolute dictatorship," he said.

What is Raila's appeal to Judiciary?

The veteran politician acknowledged that despite having rogue and corrupt elements within its ranks, the Executive under Ruto was more corrupt.

He pleaded with judicial officers to continue discharging their mandate professionally, adding that Ruto's emotions would not govern the country.

"We appeal to the Judiciary to stand firm in defence of professionalism, independence, the rule of law and constitutionalism. In this Judiciary, I see products of the old struggle against a vicious dictatorship. I trust that they will not allow judicial proceedings and decisions to be determined by Ruto’s tantrums.

With all its weaknesses, the Judiciary, alongside external vigilance, remains our best bet against a return to dictatorship. The Judiciary is too critical to the well-being of our country and our democracy, making it extremely important that we call Ruto out and tell him that he has crossed the line," Raila added.

Ruto accuses Judiciary of corruption

In his all-out rhetoric, Ruto expressed frustration with the Judiciary for trying to stop his key projects, alleging corruption and deliberate obstruction of his development plans.

The head of state accused the beneficiaries of corruption of collaborating with corrupt judicial officers to obstruct development in Kenya.

Our Judiciary, we respect you, but judicial impunity by corrupt judicial officers must stop in Kenya...we’ll stop it and whatever it takes,” he said.