Human rights groups have condemned the judiciary for presiding over the swearing-in of the 50 Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS) Thursday morning despite an active case.
The swearing-in ceremony was conducted at 7 am while the case was due for a mention today at 9 am.
In what they termed as abetting impunity, the lobby groups faulted the judiciary for failing to stop the ‘illegal’ appointments on various occasions.
“This action undermines the rule of law, and increases the public wage bill, even as Kenyans reel under an economic crisis,” reads a statement signed by the group.
According to them, when Eliud Matindi and others challenged the CAS appointments, the courts denied them conservatory orders to protect the constitution.
Instead, they claimed that the court fixed the case for a mention.
“Yet by surprise, the same judiciary had sent a top official to swear in the 50 illegal CAS at the state house. These actions by the judiciary are akin to a wild goose chase!”
“By refusing to issue conservatory orders and giving dates so far into the future, the Kenyan Judiciary is facilitating executive impunity.” The statement further read.
“We stand against the rising judicial utado! And demand that the judiciary stops serving Kenyans hot air!”
Those who signed include Inuka Ni Sisi Ltd, Transparency International Kenya, The Institute for Social Accountability, Constitution and Reform Education Consortium, Siasa Place and Inform Action.
Other lobby groups who signed the statement were Muslmim for Human Rights, Haki Yetu Organization, CSO Network, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Midrift Human Rights Network, Defenders Coalition, Center for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance, and Mazingira Institute.
