Raila’s Statement After President Ruto’s Meeting With CJ Koome

ODM Party leader Raila Odinga has slammed Chief Justice Martha Koome over meeting President William Ruto at State House.

Speaking on Monday January 22, Raila termed the Koome’s move irresponsible saying a dialogue between the Executive and Judiciary should be held at a neutral place.

Raila claimed that the Executive is compromising and holding the Judiciary hostage.

“Chief Justice, the head of Judiciary has gone for a meeting with the President in State House this is in our view is an irresponsible move, if there is supposed to be a dialogue, the dialogue should be held in a neutral place, State House is the seat of the Executive that is where the President resides,” said Raila.

He added, “This means the Judiciary is being compromised by the Executive, the Judiciary is being held hostage and we have seen this before. We saw it happen under the rule of Moi and we have tried to caution the Chief Justice not to go bed with the Executive it is an unfortunate development.”

The opposition chief called on other members of the Judiciary not to be compromised and exercise their work in accordance to the constitution.

“We want the judges to remain firm and do their work in accordance to law and the constitution of our country,” Raila stated.

CJ Koome on Monday morning arrived at State House to discuss contentious issues pitting the Executive and the Judiciary.

The Chief Justice had written to President Ruto seeking to hold talks after he raised concern about the conduct of some judges and judicial officers.

Ruto welcomed the call for talks and insisted that he would lead the dialogue.

“I am going to lead from the front in the conversation between the executive and the judiciary so that we can deal with the monster that is destroying our country and the corrupt who go to court,” he said.