Just hours after being sworn in, Kenya’s President William Ruto appointed the six Court of Appeal judges rejected by former president Uhuru Kenyatta three years ago.
The six judges were on Wednesday, September 14, sworn in at the State House, Nairobi in an event that was overseen by the Head of State.
In a move aimed at improving access to justice by Kenyans, the first in command further promised to increase the annual budget allocation to Judiciary by KSh 3 billion annually for the next five years.
“My administration will scale up the countries judiciary budget by KSh 3b annually for the next five years to increase the number of small claims courts from 25 to 100 countries,” President William Ruto said in his maiden speech.
However, city Lawyer Danston Omari has warned the Judiciary to be cautious with President William Ruto’s goodies.
Speaking to journalists in Thika, the lawyer said the goodies being offered to the Judiciary might compromise its work.
While thanking the President for his efforts to offer support to the Judiciary, Omari who was allied to Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party advised the arm of government to remember its roles in administering justice.
“We want to congratulate President William Ruto’s move to appoint the six judges. We want to appreciate Ruto’s move to increase funds but if the judiciary plays to bed too much with the executive, are we likely to see a Judiciary that was there under the old Constitution, when it was a department of the Executive?” Omari posed.
The lawyer further raised fears that if the executive gives the judiciary everything it asks, the Judiciary may be at fear in giving orders against the same government.
“If the Judiciary gets everything that they are asking, will they have the moral capacity to give orders against the government?” he added.
