Raila reacts to Ruto, Koome State House meeting

By Peter Ochieng

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leader, Raila Odinga has voiced his opinion against president William Ruto and Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome’s meeting held at State House, on Monday.

Speaking in Lamu county, Odinga said the meeting between the heads of executive, the judiciary and the legislature should not have happened, in the first place.

He added that instead of State House - the home of the executive, the meeting to discuss perceived fall-out between the two over alleged corruption in the judiciary, would have taken place at a neutral place.

"State House is the home of the executive. That is where the president resides. If there is going to be a dialogue over issues of governance, it should be held in a neutral ground," said the ODM party leader.

He said the meeting signals a return to the 'dark old days' witnessed during Kenya's second president, the late Daniel Arap Moi.

"The judiciary is being held hostage by the executive, and we've seen this before. We saw it happen under the rule of Mr. Moi, and we've tried to caution the current CJ not to go to bed with the executive," Raila added.

However, Senior Counsel (SC) Ahmednasir Abdullahi who was recently permanently barred from appearing before the Supreme Court over persistent attacks lauded the meeting, adding that said the CJ should be given a timeline of removing ‘corrupt judges’ in the judiciary.

“Good that H.E @WilliamsRuto is meeting CJ @CJMarthaKoome at State House on the way forward on judicial reforms. President Ruto must extract from Koome a definitive timeline and actionable deliverables on how to remove corrupt and incompetent judges from the judiciary. President Ruto must own the process and ensure that Koome adheres to what is agreed,” wrote the advocate on his verified X handle.

Nairobi Review earlier reported that the Director, Public Communication at the State House Gerald Bitok, notified the country of CJ’s arrival at State House, for the meeting, featuring the three arms of government - the judiciary, executive and legislature.

“Chief Justice Martha Koome arrives at State House, Nairobi. This follows her calls for talks with the Executive and the Legislature which H.E President @WilliamsRuto welcomed and embraced as move towards enhancing transparent & unhindered service to the people by all arms of government,” said Bitok.