The Judiciary, on Tuesday, July 4, demanded that Citizen TV retracts a statement by its reporter regarding the swearing-in of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS).
In a statement, the Chief Justice Martha Koome-led arm of government complained that the journalist, in the news bulletin, reported that the judiciary swore the 50 CAS who were barred from assuming office.
Terming the claims as erroneous, the Judiciary emphasized the need for Citizen TV to clarify the report, which reportedly misled the public and tainted the Judiciary's reputation.
"Attention has been drawn to a misleading story aired on Citizen TV's Monday Night Report on July 3, at 9 pm. In the news item, the reporter alleges that the Judiciary had redeemed itself following a judgment delivered by a three-judge bench of the High Court.
"The Judiciary is therefore asking Citizen TV and its editorial management to retract the misleading statement and set the record straight as duly advised," read the statement in part.
In the new story aired on Monday, July 3, the report claimed that the ruling of the High Court vindicated itself after erroneously swearing in the CASs.
Citizen TV's report was aired on the backdrop of High Court judges, Justices Kanyi Kimondo, Hedwing Ong’udi and Visram Alnashir nullifying the CAS position, which they termed unconstitutional.
The judges determined that the Constitution of Kenya 2010 did not foresee the appointment of 50 - an increase from the 23 appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
"Judiciary, long accused of aiding and abetting Executive impunity by participating in the swearing-in of the CASs whose offices have now been declared unconstitutional has redeemed itself for this judgment," the reporter claimed.
Consequently, the Judiciary maintained that it does not play a role in the swearing-in of the Cabinet and other state appointees.
"No official of the Judiciary was sent to State House to swear in the 50 Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs)," read the statement in part.
President William Ruto and Chief of Staff, Felix Koskei, on Thursday morning, March 23, presided over the swearing-in of 50 Chief Administrative Secretaries at State House, Nairobi.
Citizen TV was yet to issue a response at the time of this publication.
