President William Ruto Defends Ties With Judiciary

President William Rutomaking his remarks during the launch of the Administration of Justice in Kenya Annual Report.on Monday, December 5, 2022.
President William Ruto making his remarks during the launch of the Administration of Justice in Kenya Annual Report on Monday, December 5, 2022.
Zakheem Rajan

President William Ruto on Monday, December 5, came face to face with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Eric Theuri who sued him over the nomination of Principal Secretaries (PSs).

Speaking during the launch of the 2021/2022 Administration of Justice in Kenya Annual Report, Ruto welcomed the decision by Theuri to sue him maintaining that nobody was above the law.

He teased the LSK boss over losing the case against him but pointed out that he would have accepted a ruling which declared the nominations unlawful.

President William Rutoand Chirf Justice Martha Koome arrive for the launch of the Administration of Justice in Kenya Annual Report.on Monday, December 5, 2022
President William Ruto and Chief Justice Martha Koome arrive for the launch of the Administration of Justice in Kenya Annual Report on Monday, December 5, 2022.
Zakheem Rajan

"I am pleased to see my friend Theuri and I appreciate that it is how the wheels of justice operate. I am happy that he is not threatening to hold demonstrations because he did not win the case.

"It is okay to take me or the government to court. If you have a matter and I lose, it means I was wrong but we leave that to the judiciary to decide," Ruto stated.

The president further responded to critics who questioned his close relationship with Chief Justice Martha Koome the Judiciary.

He maintained that he was only offering support to the courts as was his mandate to uphold the rule of law and protect the constitution.

"They can confirm to you that I have never made any call to anybody to ask them to do nothing. My support to the judiciary is so that they can effectively deliver justice to the people of Kenya. Period!" Ruto remarked.

Amid concerns over the construction of four small claims courts in Nairobi, the head of state revealed that he would consult with governor Johnson Sakaja to expedite the completion of the project.

He reiterated his promise to ensure that the Judiciary received the funding it requires for the efficient administration of justice.

Also, present during the event were Attorney General Justin Muturi and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji.  Inspector General Japhet Koome sent apologies for skipping the event.

On November 6, Azimio Chief Raila Odinga asked the Chief Justice to be wary of Ruto's advances to the judiciary terming it a grand scheme to take over the judiciary.

He argued that Kenyans will bear the brunt of a manipulated judicial system if the CJ cedes the independence of the crucial institution that she leads.

Azimio Party leader Raila Odinga during a rally in Utawala on Sunday, December 4, 2022..jpg
Azimio Party leader Raila Odinga during a rally in Utawala on Sunday, December 4, 2022.
Raila Odinga