An insult to Maraga is an insult to Gusii community, leaders warn Uhuruto

Gusii leaders have come out strongly to defend the reputation and integrity of Chief Justice David Maraga who hails from their community against attacks from the Jubilee party.

The ODM leaders in a statement lashed out at President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee party against attacking and insulting Maraga and other Judges of the Supreme Court.

This is after led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto launched a scatting attack towards the Judiciary after the nullification of the August 8th presidential elections.

“"Maraga and his thugs have decided to cancel the election. Now I am no longer the president-elect. I am the serving president. Maraga should know that he is now dealing with the serving president," Uhuru said in Kiswahili at an impromptu rally at Burma Market in Nairobi hours after the ruling.

“Tunataka (David) Maraga atuskie vizuri, Kwa sababu he has his day, ours is coming. By the way that is not a threat. He has had his day, he has done his game our day is coming” Ruto said at State House.

Also read: Uhuru should be sober when addressing Kenyans - Atwoli

The Gusii leaders said the two leaders are wrong and should respect the judiciary which is an independent arm of the government and further asked the Jubilee party to desist from victimizing a community in their attacks and expression of disappointment.

"May we remind President Kenyatta that his presidency in 2013 was upheld by the same court and it is unfortunate that he can now lead the chorus in hurling insults at the court. To the extent of referring the judges as 'crooks' is not just absurd but unfortunate coming from the Head of State who is supposed to portray the image of the symbol of unity," they said in a statement.

The MPs added that Chief Justice Maraga is holding the office through a competitive process and not through a favor to the community as some Jubilee operatives have purported.

"It is catastrophic that the president has turned this into an attack on a particular community and even suggested they would deal with the Chief Justice. We want to put the Jubilee Party on notice that the Gusii community values its own and the attack on Justice Maraga is an attack on the community," The joint statement by MPs Sylvanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga), Jared Okello (Nyando) and Senator Beatrice Kwamboka (Nominated ODM) read.