- Cherargei claimed that some political and government leaders in the region were concentrating on the supremacy battles as if Ruto was about to exit from power.
- The senator alleged that the judiciary had been captured by corrupt cartels and justice was for sale to the highest bidder.
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has challenged top government officials from Rift Valley to deliver on their mandate instead of focusing on supremacy battles and political succession in President William Ruto’s backyard.
Cherargei claimed that some political and government leaders in the region were concentrating on the supremacy battles as if Ruto was about to exit from power.
“I hear some of them saying they want to be kingpins after Ruto instead of working in the cabinet positions they have been given to serve Kenyans. I don’t know which position is that they are fighting for," Cherargei said.
He said among the Kalenjin community it was taboo to discuss the succession of a person who is still in power and alive.
“Ruto is the president and when the time for his retirement he will still determine the political direction of the Kalenjin community," Cherargei said while speaking in Eldoret on Friday.
Cherargei has been engaged in a lengthy public spat with Roads CS Kipchumba Murkomen over what he terms as poor performance by the CS.
Meanwhile, Cherargei claimed that the Judiciary in the country has gone rogue and should be tamed.
Cherargei who is a lawyer has also advised President William Ruto to ignore court orders allegedly aimed at undermining his government.
The senator alleged that the judiciary had been captured by corrupt cartels and justice was for sale to the highest bidder.
"Our judiciary has gone rogue and must be called to order. We are now in a country where Kenyans are saying why hire a lawyer if you can buy a judge," Cherargei said.
Cherargei said he would spearhead reforms to the Judiciary Service Commission Act and also cause a radical surgery of the Judiciary to weed out the alleged corruption cartels.
Cherargei spoke out in defence of President Ruto's recent remarks on the Judiciary for alleged interference in government operations.
"We have a situation where court orders are now issued more easily than getting a tissue paper. A judiciary full of cartels means Kenyans can no longer access justice," Cherargei said.
He also said the Judiciary should accept criticism and asked Chief Justice Martha Koome not to defend his staff while ignoring the alleged deep rot in the Judiciary.
"While we accept the principle of separation of powers and respect the Judiciary, it has overstepped its mandate and serves some strange interests," the senator said.
"We must also allow the EACC to probe judges like it does with other Kenyans."
Cherargei also wants the office of Judiciary Ombudsman established to help check on excesses in the Judiciary.
He accused the judiciary of being captured by cartels and opposition activists to frustrate government programmes.
The senator also wondered why the judiciary issues orders without being sensitive to the needs of Kenyans.
"We wonder how a sensible judge can issue orders stopping a healthcare plan or a housing plan that is to benefit Kenyans," Cherargei said.