Kenyan chief justice vows to protect rule of law

By Magdalene Mukami and Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya

Kenya’s Chief Justice David Maraga on Tuesday condemned "threats" by political leaders against the country’s judiciary.

Speaking at a news conference in capital Nairobi, Maraga said he and his fellow judges would not be forced in any way to side with President Uhuru Kenyatta or the opposition.

Maraga's remarks came a day after a petition was filed with the High Court of Kenya to remove the chief justice from office.

Earlier this month, Maraga led the court in annulling the results of the Aug. 8 presidential elections -- after Kenyatta was declared winner -- and ordering the holding of fresh polls on Oct. 17.

"On our part, we’re prepared to pay the ultimate price to protect the Constitution and the rule of law," the chief justice said.

He stood by the verdict on annulling Kenyatta’s win over election malpractices and irregularities, saying if the ruling party legislators were tired of having a strong and independent judiciary, they should call a referendum and abolish it.

Outside the Supreme Court, where Maraga was speaking, hundreds of Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party supporters protested, calling for the removal of two top judges.

The party accused Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and Justice Isaac Lenaola of working with the opposition to frustrate chances of Kenyatta’s second term win.

A petition has already been filed with the court to have the two investigated over "gross misconduct".

Police were forced to fire tear gas at the protesters outside the Supreme Court to disperse them after the protests became violent.