Angry reactions greet move to give President Uhuru Kenyatta powers to appoint CJ

From left: Lawyers Nzamba Gitonga, Eric Mutua and Tom Ojienda at the Milimani Law Courts where the High Court has declined to suspend a law that gives the President powers to appoint the CJ. [ PHOTO: GEORGE NJUNGE/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: Experts have reacted angrily to amendments giving the President powers to appoint the Chief Justice and his deputy.

Lawyers and constitutional scholars have warned that Kenya risks losing constitutional and democratic gains endorsed in the 2010 referendum if the Executive and Legislature are not stopped from passing laws that breach the supreme law and cripple independent arms of government.