Chief Justice Martha Koome and deputy CJ Philomena Mwilu welcoming President Ruto in Parliament

Justice Martha Koome and her deputy Philomena Mwilu have received a social media backlash for lining up alongside members of parliament to receive president Ruto on Thursday, during the opening of the 13th Parliament.

Lawyer Ahmed Nassir, who has represented Ruto in the past, said the move was “out of order”.

“Totally out of order for the CJ and DCJ to line up with politicians and receive the President outside Parliament…CJ and DCJ must realise they are judges of the Supreme Court and are thus judicial officers” he said.

Asked by a curious Kenyan where the judges should have been, Ahmed Nassir explained that there are designted chambers for judges in parliament.

According to lawyer James Orengo, the scenario has never played out before in the history of Kenya.

“Not even during KANU’S hegemony did judges line up in their regalia to receive Moi or Jomo outside the judicial premises. It was not even a colonial practice and must be called out for what it is; state capture,” Orengo said.

Below are more comments shared by Kenyans on Twitter

@munda_phil: Our CJ and DCJ are really embarrassing this country,  Judicial Capture is Extremely Dangerous For This country,  this has to STOP.

Totally out of order for the CJ and DCJ to line up with politicians and receive the President outside Parliament…CJ and DCJ must realise they are judges of the Supreme Court and are thus judicial officers…

@DominicKiarie8: What is wrong with CJ and DCJ LINING up with politicians to RECEIVE the president at parliament?They are judges of the Supreme Court and judicial officers and they can choose to receive the president at parliament or not it is within their RIGHTS and LAW.