Mogotio Member of Parliament Reuben Kiborek has threatened to cut the judiciary's budget in the next financial year over the case challenging the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act 2023.
Speaking on Monday, January 15 during the burial of Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei's father Philip Tonui at Kapsio, Kiborek said they have started the budget process for the 2024/2025 financial year and will cut the Judiciary's budget if it stops the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act 2023.
"The judiciary has decided to superimpose itself on all branches of government, but we have a remedy. We are just beginning the process of setting the budget for the Republic of Kenya. If they have decided that the money will not go to NHIF and UHC, we will cut their entire budget and allocate it to NHIF," said Kiborek.
The UDA MP's comments come as President William Ruto has accused some judges and judicial officers of being beneficiaries of graft and sabotaging his legacy projects of universal health care and affordable housing.
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The president has vowed to tackle corruption in the judiciary, saying its independence should not be used to deny Kenyans their rights.
Chief Justice Martha Koome on Friday urged the executive to file complaints against judges accused of graft instead of making public statements.
Koome, however, noted that complaints against judges and judicial officers must be lodged in the manner prescribed by the Constitution.
"The Judicial Service Commission, which is the body mandated by the Constitution to deal with complaints, will only act on the basis of evidence and not on blanket statements and allegations that have not been substantiated. To do otherwise is to overturn the constitution," Koome said.
