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Amnesty International Kenya, Haki Africa, and Kenya National Commission on Human Rights in conjunction with the Law Society of Kenya yesterday criticized President William Ruto for his comments in Bungoma, in which he threatened sugar cartels of among other things taking them to heaven.
“The Law Society of Kenya, Amnesty International Kenya, Kenya Human Rights Commission, and HAKI Africa note with deep concern the public statements made by the President of the Republic of Kenya H.E. Dr. William Ruto, issuing a warning to all those who have filed cases in Court over ownership and control of Mumias Sugar Company, to withdraw the said cases and gave them the following options;
- Wahame Kenya, ama
- Nitawaweka jela, ama
- Wasafiri waende mbinguni.”
The three groups signed a joint statement demanding that the President withdraws his comments and apologizes. They highlighted that the constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to be heard in court and a fair trial.
“The Constitution of Kenya guarantees every person the right to access courts and the right to have every dispute determined in accordance with the laws of the land. The declaration by the President, therefore, appears to suspend the Constitution and substitute the rule of law with the rule and wishes of the Executive. This is clearly unconstitutional and an attempt to return the Country to the dark days of a repressive regime that violated the human rights and freedom of the people of Kenya,” the organizations said in their statement.
On his part Amnesty’s Executive Director Irungu Houghton warned Ruto not to repeat misdeeds of the Uhuru administration.
“The criminal justice system is like personal hygiene. It starts like a boil, it begins to swell. It begins to become cancerous. And the demand we have today is that Mr. President, you should burst this boil before you get consumed by the lawlessness that you saw in your predecessor and in the previous administration,” said Irungu.
