Editor's Review

"We want to tell the Chief Justice not to compromise the position of the court."

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has warned Chief Justice Martha Koome against meeting President William Ruto.

Speaking on Tuesday, January 16, Raila said the meeting between President Ruto and CJ Koome will compromise the independence of the Judiciary.

Raila argued that the executive has an active case in court and if Ruto meets the Chief Justice the case will be compromised.

“The Chief Justice is talking about having a dialogue with the Executive which has got an active case in the court. That is how to compromise justice, let the judges do their thing independently. We want to tell the Chief Justice not to compromise the position of the court.

“She already took the position there is no need for dialogue. If I have a case in court I don’t need to go and negotiate with the judges, either I am right or I am wrong,” said Raila.

File image of Chief Justice Martha Koome.

The opposition chief also said the meeting would affect not only the Judiciary but also the entire country.

Raila called on Kenyans to stand firm and protect the independent institutions that were created by the constitution.

CJ Koome on Monday announced the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has written to President Ruto seeking to have a meeting over his recent claims of corruption in the Judiciary.

“We have written requesting for an appointment with the President so that we as the commission can have a dialogue to discuss and find out what is the real issue,” Koome stated.

The President earlier welcomed the move by CJ Koome saying it's time the Executive, Judiciary, and the Legislature have a conversation on corruption and sabotage in the government.

“I want to tell madam Chief Justice I am ready to have a meeting between the Executive, the Judiciary, and the Legislature on how we are going to deal with vested interest, incompetence, and corruption because it is delaying, derailing, and sabotaging the progress of Kenya,” said Ruto.