Details of Ruto, Martha Koome discussion at State House
President William Ruto on Monday, January 22, 2024, held a meeting with Chief Justice Martha Koome, after the two arms of government had constant conflicts over corruption allegations.
The meeting was attended by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, Attorney General Justin Muturi and Solicitor General Shadrack Mose.
In a statement after the meeting, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the meeting focused on building approaches to fight corruption, enhance accountability and facilitate the efficient and seamless delivery of services to the people of Kenya.
"It was agreed that corruption remains an existential threat to the nation which has permeated the three arms of government, undermining our country’s tremendous development potential and sabotaging the much-needed transformation of our nation," Mohamed said.
"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."
The executive, legislature and judiciary, according to Mohamed, agreed to individually develop policies, guidelines, regulations and legislative proposals to achieve the objectives of fighting corruption, improving service delivery and enhancing institutional accountability.
It was further agreed that within 30 days, each arm of government would submit the proposals made to a forum of the National Council of the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) convened by Koome.
The forum will provide a roadmap for the immediate, medium-term and long-term measures to be undertaken.
"To optimize the efficient delivery of service and the fight against corruption, the executive, and the legislature, will support the judiciary's request for additional budgetary support," Mohamed revealed
The additional budgetary allocations will be used to facilitate the recruitment of an additional 25 judges of the High Court and the recruitment of 11 new judges of the Court of Appeal.
It was also agreed that the executive will provide resources to conclude the vehicle leasing program to facilitate the judiciary’s transport needs.
"The Executive, Legislature and Judiciary commit to performing their functions in a manner that respects, promotes and enhances the rule of law, institutional independence and respect for court decisions," he added.
Raila condemns Ruto-Koome meeting
The meeting, which was highly condemned by opposition leader Raila Odinga, comes at a time when Ruto has been attacking the judiciary, accusing it of corruptly issuing orders to derail the government agenda.
Speaking in Maweni village in Lamu West Constituency, Raila termed the meeting between Ruto and Koome as an irresponsible move by the latter.
"If there is supposed to be dialogue, the dialogue should be held in a neutral place. The State House is the seat of the executive. If there is going to be a dialogue over issues of governance, it should be held on a neutral ground. This (meeting) means that the judiciary is being compromised by the executive. The judiciary is being held hostage by the executive," Raila stated.
