Kenya’s President William Ruto on Monday, January 22, met with Chief Justice Martha Koome in a bid to end the recent fallout between the Executive and Judiciary.
In a statement to the Media shortly after the meeting, Ruto and Koome agreed on a six-point agenda.
Among other agreements the Executive reached with the Judiciary included the appointment of 25 High Court Judges and 11 Court of Appeal judges bringing the total number to 36.
The statement further indicated that the president committed to increasing the funding of the judiciary to facilitate its operation.
“Facilitate the recruitment of an additional 25 Judges of the Hugh Court and 11 new Judges of the Court of Appeal. Resources will also be provided to conclude the vehicle leasing program to facilitate the judiciary’s transport needs,” read the statement.
Others who attended the meeting include National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Deputy CJ Philomena Mwilu, Attorney General Justin Muturi, and Solicitor Shadrack Mose.
Ruto’s meeting with Koome appears to have irked a section of leaders from the opposition camp led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Raila who was speaking on Monday, January 22, at the commissioning of the Maweni Water Project at Manda Primary School in Lamu criticized Martha Koome for holding a meeting with Ruto at State House, terming it an irresponsible move.
Raila said if the two had to meet to discuss the recent fallout between the Judiciary and the Executive, then such a meeting should have happened in a neutral place.
“The Chief Justice’s decision to meet with the President at State House is, in our view, an irresponsible move. If there is to be a dialogue, it should occur in a neutral setting,” Raila said.
