Arms of gov't should have bi-annual meetings - Senator Mungatana

This comes a day after the much-anticipated meeting between the Judiciary, Executive and Legislature was held in State House on Monday to iron out a heightening tiff. 

In Mungatana's view, the meeting yielded positive results and such meetings should be held twice a year to strengthen partnership between the three arms.

"The conversation that was being sought has now been had and from where I sit the heads of the three arms of government should have at least a bi-annual meeting where we review, where are we on this and that and the other," he said.

Mungatana was speaking during a panel discussion with Citizen TV on Tuesday.

He further noted that there is also a need to review the Judiciary since it yields as much power as the other arms of government.

"Judiciary is unelected but holds a lot of power. The Senate and the Executive hold power but are reviewed after every five years, we don't get to do that with the Judiciary."

While defending Ruto's onslaught against the Judiciary, Mungatana said that the president was misinterpreted and was only seeking dialogue with the Judiciary since his key projects were being stalled by the courts.

"The president was never attacking the Judiciary he was saying let us have a conversation. I argued many times [that] he is inviting a difficult conversation."

According to State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the Monday meeting was aimed to develop anti-corruption strategies, strengthen accountability, and streamline service delivery for Kenyan citizens.

“The executive, Legislature and the Judiciary agree to individually develop policies, guidelines, regulations and legislative proposals to achieve the objectives of fighting corruption, improving service delivery and enhancing institutional accountability of all arms of Government to the people of Kenya,” read a statement from Mohammed.

During the meeting, leaders from all three branches of government acknowledged the serious threat posed by corruption, recognising its infiltration into every aspect of governance.

The three arms also agreed that they will each present their proposals to a National Council of the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) forum chaired by Chief Justice Martha Koome within the next 30 days. 

This forum, Mohammed added, will develop a roadmap outlining immediate, medium-term, and long-term actions to be taken.

The Executive and Legislature also pledged to support the Judiciary's request for additional budgetary allocation which includes provisions for the recruitment of 25 judges for the High Court and 11 judges for the Court of Appeal.

The allocation also includes resources to complete the vehicle leasing programme to meet the judiciary's transportation needs.