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Ruto holds talks with CJ Koome to end Executive, Judiciary standoff

President William Ruto with Chief Justice Martha Koome during his swearing-in ceremony in Nairobi on September 13, 2022 (Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)

By Dennis Tarus | Monday, January 22, 2024

The CJ warned that attacks against the Judiciary were setting up the country for chaos and anarchy but stressed the need for dialogue.

President William Ruto on Monday morning held a meeting with Chief Justice Martha Koome at State House, Nairobi, a move seen as an effort to thaw relations among the Judiciary, the Executive and the Legislature.

The meeting followed harsh criticisms of the Judiciary by the Executive, led by Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which the Judiciary said were unjustified.

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State House Director of Public Communication Gerald Bitok confirmed the meeting.

“Chief Justice Martha Koome arrives at State House, Nairobi. This follows her calls for talks with the Executive and the Legislature, which President William Ruto welcomed and embraced as a move towards enhancing transparent and unhindered service to the people by all arms of government,” Bitok said on his official X account.

The meeting aims to end the stand-off between the Executive and Judiciary over corruption claims against judicial officers. Both President Ruto and CJ Koome expressed willingness to hold discussions aimed at finding a lasting solution to the claims of graft within the corridors of justice.

Last week, the President announced that he was ready and willing to meet the Chief Justice.

“I am going to lead from the front in the conversation between the Executive and the Judiciary so that we can deal with the monster that is destroying our country and the corrupt who go to court,” he said.

In a media briefing last week, the Chief Justice warned that attacks against the Judiciary were setting up the country for chaos and anarchy but stressed the need for dialogue.

“If this course is allowed to continue unabated, we are on the precipice of a constitutional crisis that can lead to untold civil strife,” said Koome.

“So we will be looking out for that dialogue; we have written, and I believe that the president is going to give us an appointment.”

Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula is also part of the meeting that brings together all three arms of the government.

CJ Koome attended the meeting despite a call by the International Commission of Jurists for her not to. ICJ Kenya chair Protas Saende on Saturday cautioned the Judiciary against participating in "discussions that may compromise its autonomy in the administration of justice". He noted, however, that if the two arms of government proceed with the talks, they must abide by the rule of law.