Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Njeri Maina has joined the list of politicians and stakeholders defending Chief Justice Martha Koome against a petition seeking her ouster.
30-year-old Njeri Maina, while speaking at a bursary and cheque donation event in Meru, on Friday, argued that Koome was a victim of a witchhunt based on the weight of the accusations levelled against her.
In the petition filed before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), petitioner, Michael Kojo Otieno, claimed that the CJ failed to follow the law in appointing members of the tax appeal tribunal.
The activist added that the CJ ought to have appointed between 15 and 20 members to the tribunal rather than 22.
In her response, Maina, who spoke at Embu University called upon Koome's critics to accord her ample time to work as she has been fighting off countless battles since the year started.
"I saw the other day someone filed a petition to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome from office. We love her, and she is doing her work. Let her do her work. I’m a lawyer, I respect the institution and independence of the Judiciary," Maina, a lawyer by profession urged.
Her response comes amid a prolonged silence by the Judiciary which is yet to respond to the ouster plot.
However, insiders at the Judiciary released a counter document indicating that Koome was justified in her appointments. Details from the Judicial Service Commission showed that the Tax Appeals Tribunal is properly constituted as it has a chairperson and 20 members as mandated by law.
One of the members, Edwin Chelugat, was appointed to the National Police Service Commission by President Ruto. As a result, some changes were made. A petition was filed at the Judicial Service Commission, seeking the removal of Chief Justice Martha Koome. The petition pointed out that the Tribunal has a chairperson and 21 other members.
Meanwhile, Njeri Maina urged the nation to support President William Ruto's Affordable Housing Project despite the Court of Appeal upholding the High Court's nullification of the levy.
Ruto vowed to appeal the case or defy court orders as the project, according to the head of state, has created and will create more job opportunities.
Njeri Maina concurred with Ruto on the creation of jobs saying, "I want to ask those people opposing the affordable housing program. Where do you want the women and youths employed under the scheme to go? Who will give them jobs?
"The President came up with this project because he is thinking about tomorrow."
The future of Ruto's housing program now hangs in the balance but may soon take a new twist after Parliament Speaker Moses Wetangula filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, Kenya's highest court led by CJ Koome, who is facing an ouster petition.
This latest development showcases how deep the three arms of government, the Executive, Parliament and Judiciary are weaved in a web of melodrama, with each party seeking to maintain independence yet work together without disdain.
As the drama involving the trio continues, Parliament is set to resume its sittings, with another crucial issue at hand - the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report which seeks to end the rivalry between Ruto's government and the opposition led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Kirinyaga MP Njeri Maina emphasised that she will convince her colleagues to prioritise the NADCO report upon resumption on Tuesday, February 13.
NADCO report recommended among other issues the creation of the official office of the opposition leader, an audit of the 2022 electoral process, reconstitution of the IEBC and entrenching of funds into the Constitution.
