Justice Philomena Mwilu [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]

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Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu on Monday declined to open the annual Law Society of Kenya Legal Awareness Week even after having been invited.

This, it is said, was done to avoid any showdown with the public.

It would have gone as her  first appearance in public after the nullification of President Uhuru Kenyatta's victory, a decision that she stood with.

Also, it would have been her first appearance since a petition was lodged at the Judicial Service Commission (JSK) seeking her removal from the seat over gross misconduct in the hearing of the presidential petition filed by NASA leader Raila Odinga.

LSK communication officer Agnetta Rodi had earlier indicated Mwilu was to be the chief guest at the event conducted at the Milimani law courts.

"This year's theme is "Safeguarding Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms through Improved Law Enforcement and the Guest of Honour will be the Deputy Chief Justice and Vice President of the Supreme Court, Philomena Mwilu, who will officially open the Legal Aid Week on Monday September 25, 2017 at 9am," Rodi said.

Later, the organisers said she declined.

"We sent an invite to her on Friday but she declined, saying she had other commitments," said an officer from the LSK as quoted by the Star.