Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua asked the Chief Justice to request written communication from any government official purporting to act on presidential orders in their engagement with the Judiciary.
Gachagua spoke on Friday, November 11, during the launch of the State of the Judiciary and the Administration of Justice Report at the Supreme Court.
“The President has directed that this country should be governed through strict adherence to the law. Officers should not obey unlawful orders; if you decide to do so, you are alone.
“If you come across anyone purporting to speak for the president ask them to put it in writing and they will not. If they insist bring them to me and I will sort it out,” he assured.
He maintained that the President placed the function of coordinating independent offices and constitutional commissions in his office. He thus assured the Judiciary of its autonomy.
“We want to assure you of our continued support. This is not to interfere with what you do but for providing a facilitative and supportive role in your work because the president wants independence,” he added.
Gachagua is not new to the corridors of justice, having been charged in two separate cases, one involving Ksh200 million and another Ksh7.3 billion.
He continually claimed his innocence, arguing that the cases were political witch-hunts.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) recently urged the court to drop the cases, citing a lack of sufficient evidence.
Officers from the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) claimed that their former boss George Kinoti coerced them to forge evidence to incriminate Gachagua.
The government also disbanded the Special Service Unit (SSU), alleging that the delay officers acted on orders of top police officers, Kinoti included.
At the Judiciary ceremony, President Ruto assured CJ Koome that the release of funds set out for its operation would be expedited.
