By permitting the Executive Branch to use unlimited authority under the pretence of restoring peace, Justice Lawrence Mugambi establishes a precedent that might have potentially disastrous consequences.
His verdict today confirmed the government’s decision to deploy military personnel to repress protesters, despite serious concerns about constitutional violations.
During the virtual court session that took place today, Kenyans observed the High Court struggling with significant technical problems of a significant kind.
Disruptions throughout the session, which had earlier in the day boasted a large number of participants, forced the broadcast to halt and restart at around 6:45 p.m.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi encountered an unexpected microphone malfunction a few moments later.
As the judge sought to restart the broadcast, viewers of the webcast session could plainly perceive the irritation that he was experiencing despite his efforts.
This decision, which was supposed to be made public at three o’clock in the afternoon, was postponed until five o’clock, and the actual publication did not take place until about six thirty in the evening owing to “technical hitches.”