Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga has criticized Chief Justice Martha Koome for meeting President William Ruto at State House early Monday.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Maweni Water Project in Lamu County during his tour of the coastal region, Odinga termed Koome’s move as irresponsible.
“Chief Justice Koome meeting Ruto at State House is irresponsible. If there is supposed to be a dialogue, it should be held in a neutral place… State House is the head of the executive. That is where the president resides.”
The ODM leader went on to claim that the meeting happening at State House meant the “judiciary is being held hostage by the executive”.
He also urged the judiciary to do their job according to the law.
“We want judges to remain firm and do their work according to the law and the constitution of our country.”
President Ruto in recent days has publicly called out the judiciary several times claiming there are corrupt judges in the courts that are colluding with people with vested interests to sabotage government development plans.
What was Koome’s response to Ruto’s remarks?
In the wake of Ruto repeatedly claiming there is corruption in the judiciary, Chief Justice Martha Koome held a press conference urging the president to file a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission.
She stated that they had not received any complaint from the head of state, adding that she was ready to hold talks and figure out where the problem was.
Ruto later welcomed the idea and before the Monday’s meeting, the Court of Appeal on January 19 ruled against the High Court ruling rescinding the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act 2023.
A government marred with court cases
The government has been taken to court on various decisions it took in 2023. The court cases included the implementation of the Financial Act, housing levy, social health insurance fund (SHIF), and Maisha Number.
This has seen Ruto’s plans derailed causing him to openly criticize the judiciary for stalling his efforts to improve the wellbeing of Kenyans.
The opposition defends the judiciary
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has been at the forefront of defending the judiciary. When the president claimed there was corruption in the judiciary, Odinga came out to defend the courts saying they ‘will not allow’ Ruto to threaten judges.
Other opposition leaders also condemned Ruto’s remarks on the judiciary urging him to respect the independence of constitutional institutions.
Other judicial stakeholders also criticized Ruto’s sentiments, with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) holding demonstrations following the president’s verbal attacks on the judiciary.
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