Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid addressing journalists in Mombasa. [Photo/ Maxwell Ngala]
Civil societies in the Coast region have defended the Judiciary amid sharp criticism from a section of politicians in the country.The human rights and community based organisations said the country is experiencing tension which has been caused by irresponsible politicians.Led by Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid, the activists said the Judiciary is an independent arm of the government that should not be drugged into politics“We’re urging politicians to respect the Judiciary. It was constitutionally formed and it is executing its mandate,” said Khalid.Khalid claimed that some politicians were acting on instructions from their masters to tarnish the image of the Judiciary, adding that the civil society will not allow that to happen.“Let politicians play their politics away from an independent body formed by the Constitution. They are putting the country at risk of experiencing violence,” he added.Khalid further said that human rights defenders are concerned about the safety of the Supreme Court Judges.“It must be remembered that the Judiciary is the independent third arm of the State. It is wrong for any member of the Executive or National Assembly to interfere with the independence of the Judiciary whether directly or indirectly,” said Khalid.On his part, Haki Africa’s law and human rights officer Francis Auma strongly defended the Judiciary saying it should speak on its conscience and not as directed by any individual or authority.“Interfering with the independence of the Judiciary will take the country back to the dark days of judicial incompetence and misrule of law,” said Auma.