[Raila Odinga in a past event. Supreme Court has dismissed claims that the judges were intimidated by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Photo/Nation]
Chief Justice David Maraga has sensationally dismissed claims by opposition that his team was intimidated by President uhuru Kenyatta in the presidential repeat poll.
At a public lecture in Washington DC, Raila accused Uhuru of exerting pressure on judges ahead of controversial repeat poll, a move that led to a number of them miss from a crucial court sitting.
"He has resorted to intimidation and we saw Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu's bodyguard shot at. He even threatened to fix the judiciary," he said.
A day to October repeat poll, Supreme Court fell short of quorum and a crucial case that sought to have elections postponed could not be heard.
But in their detailed ruling, Maraga denied any intimidation by the state adding that the claims were 'illusions'.
"On intimidation, let us speak on ourselves that nobody has ever intimidated us. The claims are outrageous and illusion in nature," said justice Smokin Wanjala.
After the Supreme Court ruling of September, President Uhuru Kenyatta openly criticised judges and even threatened to 'fix' the judiciary after the repeat poll.
Afterwards, Jubilee controlled parliament speedily passed legislation that could allow any judge to swear in a president, a preserve of the Chief justice.