State House has threatened to expose a section of judicial officers accused of perpetuating corruption and sabotaging President William Ruto's agenda.
In a statement defending President Ruto, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed insisted it was part of their duty to expose and hold a section of judicial officers enabling graft.
"Corruption, whether within the Judiciary, the Executive or the Legislature and, indeed, among the general public must not find refuge behind the shield of judicial independence. It is our duty to expose and hold accountable those who engage in corrupt practices whoever they maybe and wherever they are," Hussein stated.
“We are back to the clamour for judiciary reforms last witnessed during President Mwaki Kibaki's tenure when it was said: ‘Why pay for a lawyer’s services when you can pay a judge?’ We must never allow the return of such impunity in Kenya,” he added.
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While defending the new push to expose corrupt judicial officers, Hussein indicated the President would be protecting the Constitution and protecting the citizens from judicial misconduct.
At the same time, Hussein dismissed sentiments raised by the Law Society of Kenya condemning the President's sentiments. Hussein however insisted that Ruto was a firm believer in judicial independence citing various reforms instituted by the Head of State since assuming power.
“We, however, agree with the Law Society of Kenya that Executive impunity is unacceptable. However, legislative impunity, by its own measure, is also unacceptable and so is judicial impunity,” he stated.
Ruto has attracted criticism following his remarks against the Judiciary. The Head of State vowed to soldier on with his Affordable Housing agenda and Social Health care plan which have all been challenged in court.
Following his remarks, Chief Justice Martha Koome vowed to protect the judicial officers from attacks. She, however, directed the President to lodge complaints on the specific officers accused of being corrupt.
"This recurring trend of discussing in public live matters in courts is a matter of great concern as it tends to threaten and intimidate judges and judicial officers to rule in a certain way in matters involving government policy," part of the memo seen by Nairobileo.co.ke read.
Koome warned that the Judiciary was an independent and co-equal arm of government and urged judges to discharge their duties without fear or favour of anyone.
"I wish to reassure judges and judicial officers, that my office will continue to protect the constitutional principle that guarantees the discharge of judicial mandate to be exercised without control or direction from any person or authority," CJ Koome stated.
