Western Azimio MPs censure Ruto over Judiciary remarks

Members of Parliament from the Western region have censured President William Ruto for what they termed as undermining the work of the Judiciary.

President Ruto, while speaking in Nyandarua on Tuesday, said some rulings made by the Judiciary were slowing down the implementation of the Kenya Kwanza development agenda.

The remarks came after the court halted implementation of the 1.5 per housing levy on salaried Kenyans, declaring it unconstitutional, null and void.

Ruto in his remarks fired a warning shot at some people he claimed were teaming up with corrupt judicial officers to sabotage his key agendas.

"I want to announce here that a few people with vested interests who are beneficiaries of corruption in NHIF are now ganging up with corrupt judicial officers to stall reforms so that fake hospital claims will continue. I want to assure you that this will not happen in Kenya again and we will stop it," he said. 

“Our Judiciary, we respect you but judicial impunity by corrupt judicial officers must stop in Kenya. We will stop it and whatever it takes.” 

Speaking in Bungoma on Wednesday during the Bumula NG-CDF Tournament finals, MPs Jack Wamboka (Bumula) and Nabii Nabwera (Lugari) fired at the president over the comments saying he was undermining the Judiciary.

The duo argued that Ruto’s remark would cause a rift between the Judiciary and the Executives thus paralyzing service delivery.

“We cannot allow Kenyans to be taken back to Egypt, we want Kenya to move forward,” Nabii said.

He added:

“Kenya is a democratic Country that people fought to restore. Therefore, let not one person take us to those days.”

In addition, Nabii called on President Ruto to deliver what he promised to Kenyans instead of engaging in a fight with the Judiciary.

“If we have pressing issues, the only refuge is always in the court but now someone who is expected to protect the Judiciary is speaking ill about it, where will we go now?” Wamboka posed a question.

Also present were Luanda MP Dickson Maungu, Kiminini MP Kakai Bissau, John Makali (Kanduyi), and several MCAs.