The Judiciary on Monday, September 12, sent a warning to Kenyans directing them to desist from attacking the Supreme Court following the Presidential petition ruling.

In the statement signed by the Directorate of Public Affairs and Communication, the Judiciary noted that it had learnt that some of the attacks through social media were being funded by political operatives and other interested parties.

It further maintained that the seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Martha Koome carried out its mandate as per the Constitution. 

"The Judiciary's attention has been drawn to a recent wave of sponsored sustained attack targeting the Supreme Court of Kenya.

A file image of the judiciary TWITTER

"The Supreme Court, was established under Article 163(1) of the Constitution 2010 and given original exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine disputes relating to the elections to the office of the President. The Court has therefore only done its work pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution," the statement read in part. 

"The persons sponsoring and executing the attacks on social media to disparage the Court are advised to desist forthwith," the Judiciary continued.

According to the statement, some individuals had singled out individual judges accusing them of taking sides in the petition that was filed by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

To justify the ruling by the Supreme Court, the Judiciary maintained that a detailed ruling would be released in due course.

"It is further noted that the court is yet to render its reasoned judgment which will outline the basis on which the election of the President-elect was upheld. There is a legal provision of 21 days following the reading of the short version of the judgment to do so. Kenyans are therefore requested to exercise patience as they await the full judgment which will shed light and provide clarity on the grounds and rationale of the Court.

"Meanwhile, no Judge of the Supreme Court has written a resignation letter, as claimed in a section of media, because there is no reason to do so. The Court is working in harmony as a cohesive unit," added the statement.

The Judiciary maintained that the judgement given by the seven-judge bench was made unanimously. 

"Further, there has been an unfortunate trend of isolating individual judges and attributing the judgment to them. The Court has seven judges who are independent and highly respectful of beach other as equals. A ‘UNANIMOUS' judgment is a collective decision made by the Court and not by an individual," the statement continued.

This comes just a day after Siaya Governor James Orengo hit out at the Chief Justice and terming the Supreme Court verdict that upheld President-elect William Ruto victory as a shame to the country. 

He made his utterances arguing that the bench made a political judgment at a time when the country needed an objective verdict.

He further accused the apex court of a hidden vendetta in the ruling which unanimously disregarded all nine issues raised by the Azimio la Umoja's legal team 

"Chief Justice Koome you have brought shame to the Judiciary by rendering a judgment that in the eyes of the ordinary people who fought for you to make sure a Chief Justice can have independence. You have brought shame to the people of the Republic of Kenya!” he claimed.

The Supreme Court validated the results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati.

Senior Counsel James Orengo arrives the Supreme Court on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. THE JUDICIARY   By Derrick Okubasu, kenyans.co.ke