Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has criticised unconstitutional changes of government, saying they should be rejected in Africa and Europe.
In a statement on Saturday, October 31, Sing’Oei said Kenya was following developments in Poland with concern.
“Unconstitutional change to government must be rejected whether in Africa or Europe. Following developments in Poland with deep concern,” he said.
Poland is facing a political and judicial dispute over the authority of its Constitutional Tribunal, the court that rules on whether laws and government decisions comply with the constitution.
The standoff involves President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose government has been seeking to reverse judicial changes made under the former ruling Law and Justice party.
The government argues that some appointments made during the party’s time in power were unlawful and weakened the court’s independence.
Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek has sought to have the immunity of Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski and Vice-President Bartłomiej Sochański lifted so they can face criminal charges.
Nawrocki, who is backed by the former ruling party, cancelled a planned trip to Senegal and returned to Warsaw amid the dispute. He later attended an emergency meeting at the Presidential Palace and reportedly went to the court shortly after midnight on Saturday with Supreme Court First President Zbigniew Kapiński.
The dispute also prompted protests by supporters of the former ruling party on Friday, October 30. Riot police were deployed outside the court in Warsaw as demonstrators opposed the government’s actions against the judges.
The disagreement dates back to 2015, when the Law and Justice-led government challenged judicial appointments made by the outgoing parliament and selected alternative candidates for some positions. European courts later ruled that some of the appointments had been improper.
Tusk took office in 2023 and has since pursued changes to address the disputed appointments.
Sing’Oei’s comments come as Kenya and Poland continue to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties. On October 1, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi signed a Ksh10.6 billion ($82 million) tied-aid loan agreement with Polish officials to support the modernisation of Kenya’s agricultural sector, particularly the dairy industry.
