Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday escalated Kenya Kwanza attacks against the Judiciary initiated by his boss President William Ruto accusing the the Chief Justice Martha Koome-led arm of sabotaging the Kenya Kwanza manifesto.
Speaking in Nandi County during the Tinderet Barngetuny Mountain Run, Gachagua faulted the Judiciary for constantly issuing rulings that have affected government operations. Gachagua gave the examples of the rulings that slammed the brakes on the State's Affordable Housing and Social Health Fund plans.
The country's second-in-command argued that most judicial officers had mortgages, housing allowances, and health insurance which he used as a basis to question why the courts have been issuing rulings which he argued have been frustrating hustlers.
"Why are these people stopping the President from helping ordinary Kenyans without houses or jobs? These judges should know that they are also Kenyans and they should not live in Utopia," he stated.
According to Gachagua, the judges should be alive to the situation the country finds itself in. He argued that Kenyans want the government to implement the Housing Levy to create affordable houses and jobs for the youth.
Gachagua remarked that the Judiciary was oblivious of Kenyans' needs leading to them ruling against the government.
"Somebody must oversee the Judiciary, we must hold them to account and ask the tough questions. They cannot sabotage our manifesto without us asking questions," he stated.
He called upon the Judiciary to be responsible and patriotic while making their rulings and take into consideration the welfare of other Kenyans.
Meanwhile, Ruto's outburst on Tuesday during a burial in Nyandarua County has been met with criticism from leaders who cautioned the President against interfering with the independence of the judiciary.
Ruto had vowed to weed out corrupt judges who are sabotaging his agenda for Kenyans through the courts, especially after the nullification of the Housing Levy by the High Court last year.
On the matter, Chief Justice Martha Koome urged all judges to continue performing their judicial duties without fear or favour.
"The JSC assures all Kenyans that any allegations or complaints of misconduct or corruption by any Judge or Judicial Officer will be dealt with firmly and swiftly per the Constitution," she remarked.
