Wetangula, Kindiki & Others Who Attended Ruto-CJ Martha Koome Meeting [PHOTOS]
The meeting, which also brought together some members of the Legislature, was held at the Presidential pavilion at State House
Marvin Chege ![Wetangula, Kindiki & Others Who Attended Ruto-CJ Martha Koome Meeting [PHOTOS]](https://viraltea.co.ke/uploads/images/2024/01/image_750x_65ae8908710fa.jpg)
President William Ruto on Monday, January 22 met Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome at State House, Nairobi in a bid to end the messy row that pitted the Executive against the Judiciary.
The meeting, which also brought together some members of the Legislature, was held at the Presidential pavilion at State House, which is currently used for State Receptions and Meetings amidst a reported State House upgrade that will reportedly cost taxpayers Ksh795 million.
Those who attended the meeting were CJ Koome and her deputy Philomena Mwilu, Attorney General Justin Muturi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Council of Governor's (CoG) chair Ann Waiguru.
Other attendees were Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Solicitor General Shadrack Moses, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure, National Assembly Clerk Samwel Njoroge and Judiciary Acting Chief Registrar Paul Ndemo, among other officials.
Attorney General Justin Muturi (left), COG chair Anne Waiguru and National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula among other leaders at State House on January 22, 2024. /PCS
The meeting was convened to deliberate on the best approaches to fight corruption, enhance accountability and facilitate the efficient and seamless delivery of services in government.
It was eventually agreed that corruption remains an existential threat to the nation which has permeated the three arms of Government, undermining the country's tremendous development potential and sabotaging the much-needed transformation of Kenya.
Each of the three arms of Government was committed to enhancing service delivery, fighting corruption and promoting the overall administration of justice to enhance accountability to the people of Kenya.
Furthermore, the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary agreed 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.
"Within 30 days, each arm of Government will submit the proposals made to a forum of the National Council of the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) convened by Her Ladyship the Chief Justice.
"This forum will provide a roadmap for the immediate, medium-term and long-term measures to be undertaken," the statement added.
To optimize the efficient delivery of service and the fight against corruption, the Executive, and the Legislature, will support the Judiciary's request for additional budgetary support to achieve among others the following:
- To facilitate the recruitment of an additional 25 Judges of the High Court.
- To facilitate the recruitment of 11 new Judges of the Court of Appeal.
- Resources will also be provided to conclude the vehicle leasing program to facilitate the judiciary's transport needs.
Finally, the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary expressed commitment to performing their functions in a manner that respects, promotes and enhances the rule of law, institutional independence, and respect for court decisions.
The Chief Justice had written to President Ruto seeking to hold talks after he raised concerns about the conduct of some judges and judicial officers, which he accepted.
Speaking during the commissioning of Tinderet Integrated Technical and Trainers College, Nandi County on Tuesday, January 16, President Ruto said the talks were necessary in the war against corruption in the country.
"Chief Justice Martha Koome said we need talks, and I have accepted. We have to fight corruption by all means. This is the year we are going to sort out corruption in Kenya. I am ready for talks between the executive, the judiciary and the legislature.
"I am ready for the conversation on how we are going to deal with vested interests, incompetence, and especially corruption whether it is in the judiciary, legislature or the executive because it is derailing and sabotaging the potential of Kenya," Ruto stated.
The President however issued a condition that the talks should involve all relevant stakeholders.
Chief Justice Martha Koome (right), her deputy Philomena Mwilu and deputy registrar of the Judiciary Paul Ndemo during a meeting of leaders from the three arms of government at the presidential pavilion at State House January 22, 2024. /PCS
