Philomena Mwilu arrest: Kenyans react to fall of deputy CJ

The arrest and eventual arraigning of the Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu over criminal charges has elicited varied reactions from Kenyans across the spectrum.

Here are some of what lawyers, politicians, activists and bloggers have had to say about the landmark arrest that has sharply brought the reputation of the third arm of government, Judiciary, into focus.

• Moses Wetang'ula

When the state acts against the Judiciary, it must inspire confidence not suspicion. The fight against corruption is laudable. The arrest of the DCJ appears like a fulfilment of the promise to 'fix' the judiciary!

• Josephine Wambua-Mongáre

Whereas Fida Kenya strongly supports leadership with integrity and the fight on graft, it is a worrying trend to continuously watch competent women leaders being stepped down from public service, the frustrating and intimidating nature of the arrests.

• Prof Makau Mutua

ODM shouldn't politicise the arrest and prosecution of DCJ Mwilu. Let's see if DPP Noordin Haji has more arrows against other judicial officers in his quiver. We will then tell whether the war against corruption is real.

• Dr Wandia Njoya

Being a female human being doesn't make you a woman. If you participate in exploitation of Kenya, don't come telling us you're a woman. Because you're not. You're just a female version of the ruling class that destroys men as well.

• Joyce Nyairo

In the enduring words of @DollyParton “My mistakes are no worse than yours, just because I’m a woman” RCA Records, 1968. Only those who are absolutely ahistorical, and blind to the workings of patriarchy (aka as the old boys’ club), can conjure up the privilege to ask such a myopic question. There is no jinx. When women do what men do, they are punished for it. #patriarchy

• Miguna Miguna

Arresting a Supreme Court Judge and the Deputy Chief Justice within the precincts of the court has never happened even in the Gestapo Germany. It is meant to intimidate, threaten and frighten the @JUDICIARYKENYA into submission. It is something we must not accept.

• Ahmednassir Abdullahi

With the arrest of the deputy chief justice and a JSC member, and now with only five out of 11 members, JSC - the most important organ in the Kenyan judiciary - is constitutionally in a state of paralysis and can't sit or deliberate from today for lack of quorum.

• Donald B Kipkorir

Arrest of Deputy CJ Philomena Mwilu, one who has security of tenure, on allegation of bribe of paltry Sh12m, signals a new phase by President Uhuru Kenyatta in consolidating his legacy ... Those who have stolen from the public or received bribes: Be Afraid, Very Afraid!

• Patrick Gathara

The mixing up of the functions of JSC and those of @ODPP_KE is what led us to the idea that once Justice Tunoi was no longer in office, there was no longer reason for us to insist that @EACCKenya pursue its corruption investigation against him.

• Boniface Mwangi

What we want. Arrest the thieves. Freeze their assets. Prosecute them. Secure convictions. Jail them. Recover what they stole and seize anything they bought using corruption money. @ODPP_KE successful convictions and recovery of assets is the only thing that matters.

• Robert Alai

I really don't support the DPP's case against Deputy CJ. Looks shallow and without merit. BUT I am equally surprised that ODM is behaving like they own the D-CJ. With the display in court, ODM is sending a different message and making the D-CJ look like a puppet of the party.