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Ruto pledges more funding to hire 36 new judges in anti-corruption war

President William Ruto attends the virtual 2nd Voice of Global South Summit in Nairobi on November 17, 2023. (Photo: PCS)

By Abdimalik Hajir | Monday, January 22, 2024

The development, as part of efforts to enhance efficient service delivery in the third arm of the government, will see an additional 11 judges of the Court of Appeal and 25 judges of the High Court recruited.

President William Ruto has promised to give the Judiciary additional funding for the hiring of 36 new judges in a show of a renewed commitment to the fight against corruption.

The development came on Monday following a meeting of President Ruto, Chief Justice Martha Koome and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.

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The leaders pledged to fight corruption and promote proper administration of justice to enhance accountability to Kenyans. The Executive and the Legislature further agreed to support the Judiciary's request for a bigger budget, to improve service delivery and strengthen the anti-graft war.

The funding will see 11 more Court of Appeal judges and 25 High Court judges recruited. Further, the extra budgetary support will go towards concluding a vehicle leasing programme by the Judiciary.

“Resources will also be provided to conclude the vehicle leasing program to facilitate the Judiciary’s transport needs," State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said in a statement to newsrooms following the meeting.

Further, the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature committed to performing their functions in a manner that respects, promotes and enhances the rule of law, institutional independence and respect for court decisions.

The three leaders agreed that corruption remains an existential threat to the country, admitting that it has permeated the three arms of government, undermining Kenya’s development potential and sabotaging the country's much-needed transformation.

They also 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 the three arms to Kenyans.

“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 the Chief Justice. This forum will provide a roadmap for the immediate, medium-term and long-term measures to be undertaken,” the statement said.

The meeting at State House, Nairobi, came after harsh criticisms of the Judiciary by the Executive, led by Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, on allegations including corruption. It was seen as an effort to thaw relations among the Judiciary, the Executive and the Legislature.

CJ Koome earlier said these attacks are setting up the country for chaos and anarchy, and that the allegations of graft are unjustified. She urged judges and judicial staff to continue their duties without undue influence, assuring them that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) would protect them.

Amid the tensions, President Ruto and CJ Koome both voiced their willingness to hold discussions, but parties like opposition leader Raila Odinga say the meeting is a sign that the Judiciary is being compromised by the Executive.