Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi now says that former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati has the right to nominate himself for a judge position if he desires to do so.
Speaking in Kakamega during an interdenominational church service attended by President William Ruto,Mudavadi emphasized that the recruitment process would be carried out by the independent Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
"The Judicial Service Commission is also independent and has the right to recruit anybody qualified. It’s wrong for Azimio to start determining who the JSC should recruit," he said.
After six years of service Chebukati together with other two ex-commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu left the commission after their term ended.
Mudavadi was condemning remarks made Azimio leader Raila Odinga who accused and claimed that the Head of State of planning to impose Chebukati as Chief Justice before the 2027 polls.
Addressing the press on Friday, the Azimio chief claimed he learnt of this intention after the recent State House meeting between the Executive led by President William Ruto and the Judiciary led by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
The opposition chief also claimed that the State House meeting was only one piece in President Ruto's grand plan to have a friendly Judiciary.
“ Immediate former IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati will be appointed as Court of Appeal judges, with Chebukati being later elevated as the Chief Justice before the 2027 General Elections, "he claimed.
The Judiciary is set for a budget boost following talks held between President Ruto and CJ Koome last month.
The budget will 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.