Chief Justice David Maraga (left) speaks with President Uhuru Kenyatta after the swearing-in of High Court judges at State House, Nairobi, on December 19, 2016. [Photo/ PSCU]
A major showdown pitting the government and judiciary is looming following the government's decision to ignore a court ruling ordering the re-opening of TV stations, warns International Crisis Group Senior Analyst Murithi Mutiga.The government shut down three privately-owned TV stations on Tuesday, January 30, over broadcasting NASA leader Raila Odinga’s swearing-in ceremony. However, the High Court ordered the immediate suspension of Interior CS Fred Matiang’i’s order to shut down the three stations, following activist Okiya Omtatah's petition. The government has however ignored the Court order.While warning of a looming clash between the two arms of government, Mutiga said that the David Maraga-led judiciary will be forced to react."If the government continues to defy the courts, it could spark a confrontation with the newly-confident Judiciary,” Mutiga told Reuters."Next week will be a litmus test for the constitution. If the government does not comply with a court order that is so clear, it raises questions about the wider rule of law," he added.The government has been up in arms with the media and opposition over the past few days following NASA leader Raila Odinga's decision to take oath as the people's president.