Ruto-CJ Koome talks: Havi questions meeting outcomes

Havi wondered how giving additional judges to the judiciary would uproot the alleged graft.

In Summary
  • He also noted that it was fundamentally wrong for the Chief Justice to have reached out to the president for dialogue.
  • President Ruto, CJ Koome and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula met on Monday after weeks of the President and his allies attacking the judiciary over alleged corruption in the arm of government.
Lawyer Nelson Havi
Lawyer Nelson Havi
Image: FILE

Lawyer Nelson Havi now says it was fundamentally wrong for Chief Justice Martha Koome to have reached out to the president for dialogue.

Havi wondered how the Executive and Legislature agreeing to give additional judges to the judiciary would uproot the alleged graft.

Speaking on Monday, Havi said that Koome was expected to address alleged corruption in the judiciary.

Havi, however, claimed that the outcome of the meeting did not adequately address the issue.

"As the head of the judiciary, it is imperative upon the Chief Justice to realise the parameters upon which she may engage with the other heads of the arms of government but fundamentally the outcome of this meeting speaks a lot," Havi said on Spice FM.

"What the Chief Justice was asked to address was the alleged corruption in the judiciary. What did she go home with? She went home with her baking bowl full; 25 judges of the High Court, 11 judges of the Court of Appeal and car loans. To what extent are these three issues going to help us fight corruption?" 

President Ruto, CJ Koome and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula met on Monday after weeks of the President and his allies attacking the judiciary over alleged corruption in the arm of government.

After the meeting, a statement by State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said that the three arms of government had 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 achieve that, they agreed to submit proposals made to a forum of the National Council of the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) within 30 days.

The NCAJ will be convened by Koome.

In addition to this, the Judiciary will also get additional budgetary support to aid in optimizing the efficient delivery of service and the fight against corruption.

Part of the funds will go towards the recruitment of 36 judges where 25 will be of the High Court and  11 of the Court of Appeal.

Hussein said the additional budget will also go towards facilitating the judiciary's transport needs.

"Resources will also be provided to conclude the vehicle leasing program to facilitate the judiciary’s transport needs," read the statement.

Lawyer Nelson Havi
Lawyer Nelson Havi
Image: FILE
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