President William Ruto and Chief Justice Martha Koome convened a meeting at State House on Monday, January 22 to resolve the recent dispute between the executive and the judiciary.
The meeting that was attended by the leadership of the legislature, the judiciary, and executive led by President Ruto.
The three arms of government deliberated on building approaches to fight corruption, enhance accountability and to facilitate the efficient and seamless delivery of services to the people of Kenya.
According to a statement share by the statehouse spokesperson, the leaders agreed that corruption remained an existential threat to the nation which has permeated the three arms of government.
“Each of the three arms of Government commits to enhance service delivery, fight corruption and promote the overall administration of justice to enhance accountability to the people of Kenya,” read the statement.
They agreed to individually develop policies, guidelines, regulations, and legislative proposals to achieve the objectives of fighting corruption, improving service delivery, and enhancing institutional accountability of all arms of government to the people of Kenya.
Each arm of Government will submit the proposals made to a forum of the National Council of the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) convened by the CJ within 30 days.
This forum will provide a roadmap for the immediate, medium-term, and long-term measures to be undertaken.
Judiciary to Receive More Funds
The Executive and the Legislature agreed to support Judiciary’s request for additional budgetary support to ensure efficient delivery of service and the fight against corruption.
The additional funds will facilitate the recruitment of an additional 25 Judges of the High Court and 11 new Judges of the Court of Appeal.
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Resources will also be provided to conclude the vehicle leasing program to facilitate the judiciary’s transport needs.
The leadership of the three arms of government committed to performing their functions in a manner that respects, promotes and enhances the rule of law, institutional independence, and respect for court decisions.
Raila Warning to Koome
Azimio leader Raila Odinga had earlier warned CJ Koome holding a meeting with the president at State House Nairobi.
Raila said discussion between the two arms of government should be held in a neutral place.
“I have just read that the CJ has gone for meeting with the president at state house. This in our view is an irresponsible move, if there is supposed to be a dialogue, it should be held in a neutral place.
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The State House is the seat of the executive, this means that the judiciary is being compromised by the executive,” said Raila.
Raila cautioned Koome against being controlled by the executive as it happened during the KANU regime.
He further urged other judicial officers not to be compromised.
