- Supreme Court Justice Isaac Lenaola raised concerns about the collapse of the Court's filing system during the impeachment trial of Rigathi Gachagua
- Lenaola questioned the weakness of the Judiciary's technological infrastructure, urging Kenyans to consider its implications for the 2027 elections
- He criticized the parliament for delaying the reorganization of the IEBC, warning that it jeopardizes the preparations for the next election
- Lenaola called on citizens to use social media activism with hashtags such as #AppointIEBCNow to pressure leaders to address the issue
Supreme Court Justice Isaac Lenaola has raised serious questions about the state of the Judiciary's technological infrastructure.
Source: UGC
Lenaola referred to a case involving an online filing system during the landmark case involving the former vice president Rigathi Gachagua.
During the Gachagua trial, three plaintiffs, Miruru Waweru, Andrew Njoroge, and Mutonga Kamau, accused Court officials of deliberately interfering with the online filing system.
The collapse of the system was accompanied by a strong vote in the National Assembly to approve it Kithur Kindiki as Deputy President following the removal of Gachagua.
Speaking at the event on Friday, December 6, Lenaola challenged Kenyans to reflect on the possible consequences of failure in the upcoming elections.
“Those of you who followed the Riggy G saga will remember that at some point, the Court's website, the online filing system went down. I want you to carry this question to 2027. Why that online platform (the Court's online filing system) Why the firewalls we built before 2022 was suddenly affected and think what can happen in 2027. I won't say more but think about it,” he said.
What are Lenaola's concerns about the restructuring of the IEBC
Lenaola also expressed frustration over the delay in the restructuring of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Highlighting the important role of the commission in ensuring credible elections, he criticized Parliament for prioritizing politically charged legislation instead of necessary reforms.
The judge called on citizens to use social media to push for accountability, suggesting hashtags such as *#AppointIEBCNow* to pressure political leaders to take action.
“I don't understand why our parliament, by the way, I am one of those judges who have no limit in expressing my thoughts, I speak my thoughts because where are you going to take me, I don't understand why, for example, we are busy passing laws quickly. in other issues that are important politically, but we do not look at what is very important for the election commission.
How can the country stand on its feet if it does not have an election commission? The election is 2027, this is 2024. When will this commission be organized? But why don't we use social media to influence the law? Why don't we, for example, have #AppointntIEBC now let's spread it. Why is the IEBC not formed? Because Azimio cannot appoint their representative on the panel. That is something to hold the country captive for two years,” he added.
How will Koome deal with someone trying to influence him?
Elsewhere, Chief Justice Marth Koome said he is guided by principles and the constitution in his official activities.
Koome, who is also the president of the Supreme Court, disclosed that in his career, he has never sat to decide a case that his parties came to him for his benefit.
According to him, if the party approached him, he would withdraw from the case and then expose the favor seekers.
Editing by Asher Omondi, current affairs reporter and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
