James Orengo hits out at President Uhuru Kenyatta over Judicial Service Commission probe

Siaya Senator James Orengo (right) addressing a Press conference at Serena Hotel in Nairobi Sunday. (Photo:Jeniffer Wachie/Standard)

By Robert Nyasato

Nairobi, Kenya: Siaya Senator James Orengo has hit out at President Uhuru Kenyatta for suspending six Judicial Service Commission (JSC) members and appointing a tribunal to probe them, saying that was a scheme to cling to power.

Orengo said the Jubilee Government was plotting for the next General Election and wanted control over the Judiciary.

Addressing a Press conference at Serena Hotel in Nairobi Sunday, Orengo, who was flanked by Migori MP Junet Mohamed, regretted that it was a tragedy that history was repeating itself just like it happened in 1963 when the Constitution was emasculated to suit the whims of the regime.

“The only way the Jubilee Government can be comfortably in power is by controlling the media, silencing the media and killing civil society, the bodies that are pillars of democracy,” he charged.

He said the game plan was to ultimately kick out Chief Justice Willy Mutunga to pave way for a user friendly Judiciary come the 2017 General Election.

“They are destined to recreate the Judiciary in Jubilee’s image so that by the time we go to the polls, the Judiciary will be singing the tune of the Executive,” he said.

He said the writing was on the wall for the CJ saying besides his constitutional tenure, his days were up under the Jubilee administration.

He said if the tribunal recommends for the disbandment of the JSC, then the next appointments will be dictated by the Executive.

Orengo said former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s sentiments on the president latest moves on the JSC and the media was not cheap talk but serious issues affecting Kenyans.

Orengo, a senior counsel, urged the suspended JSC members not to appear before the retired appellate judge Aaron Ringera-led tribunal on grounds its finding were certain and dismissed it as a kangaroo court.

 Mohamed said Parliament had overstepped its oversight role by attempting to micro-manage other institutions of Government.