Raila warns Judiciary against holding talks with President Ruto

By Cynthia Munene

Azimo la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga has warned the Judiciary against holding talks with the Executive, led by President William Ruto.

Speaking in Vihiga County during the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party recruitment drive on Tuesday, Mr. Odinga said the talks risk compromising the Judiciary which he insists should continue conducting its activities independently.

“There is no need for the Judiciary to negotiate with President Ruto. The Chief Justice is talking about having a dialogue with the Executive, which is not an active case in the court, that is how to compromise justice. Let the judges do their things independently,” said the Azimio leader.

The former premier also condemned the President for disregarding the Judiciary, adding that there is an option to seek for appeal if one disagrees with a court ruling.

He also called on Kenyans to stand firm in protecting the Constitution.

On Monday, during a Judicial Service Commission (JSC) media conference, Chief Justice Martha Koome reached out to President Ruto for a meeting to discuss any issues the Executive has with the judicial arm.

"He might have received information because we have various machinery and agencies for collecting information and we would like to engage him so that he can give us that information. We will be looking out for that dialogue, we have written and I believe that the President is going to give us an appointment," said Koome.

President Ruto on Tuesday agreed to hold talks with the Judiciary during a tour in Nandi County where he commissioned the Tinderet Integrated Technical and Trainers College.

"I want to tell the Chief Justice that I am ready for a meeting with the Judiciary, Executive, and Legislature. The leadership of the Executive, led by me, the leadership of the Judiciary led by the Chief Justice and the leadership of the Legislature led by our Speakers," said Ruto.

“I welcome the conversation between the Executive and I am going to lead from the front in that conversation so that we can deal with the monster that is destroying our country, and so that we can deal with those who benefit from the status quo...the vested interest who have taken our health hostage, who don’t want us to change the system to make it transparent.”