Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’Oei has expressed concern over Poland’s political standoff.
Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’Oei voices concern as Polish leaders clash over control of the Constitutional Tribunal.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has expressed concern over the Poland political crisis, rejecting unconstitutional changes of government. His comments come amid a widening dispute over the country’s highest constitutional court.
In a brief statement on Saturday, October 31, Sing’Oei said Kenya was closely following developments in Poland. He also stressed that unconstitutional transfers of power were unacceptable in both Africa and Europe.
The standoff involves President Karol Nawrocki, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, senior judges and police. At its centre is the Constitutional Tribunal, which determines whether laws and government decisions comply with Poland’s constitution.
Poland political crisis centres on court leadership
Tusk’s government is seeking to reverse judicial changes introduced under the former ruling Law and Justice party, known as PiS. The administration argues that some judicial appointments were unlawful and undermined the tribunal’s independence.
Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek has sought to lift immunity protections for tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski and Vice-President Bartłomiej Sochański. The move would allow the two court leaders to face criminal charges.
Meanwhile, Nawrocki, who has PiS backing, cancelled a planned visit to Senegal to return to Warsaw and intervene. He held an emergency meeting at the Presidential Palace.
He reportedly visited the tribunal shortly after midnight on Saturday with Supreme Court First President Zbigniew Kapiński. Supporters of PiS had also protested on Friday, October 30, prompting authorities to deploy riot police outside the court.
The demonstrators opposed the action against the judges, arguing that the government was trying to take control of the institution.
Long-running judicial dispute and Kenya ties
The dispute dates back to 2015, when the incoming PiS-led government challenged judicial selections by the outgoing parliament. It then appointed alternative candidates to some positions, triggering legal challenges.
European courts later ruled that some judges had gained their positions through improper appointments. After taking office in 2023, Tusk began efforts to reverse those changes.
Sing’Oei’s intervention also comes as Kenya and Poland expand their diplomatic and economic relations. On October 1, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi signed a Ksh10.6 billion ($82 million) tied-aid loan agreement with Polish officials.
The agreement aims to modernise Kenya’s agricultural sector, with particular attention to the dairy industry.
