Azimio leader Raila Odinga now claims Kenyans were not told the truth about the agenda of the January 22 meeting between President William Ruto and Chief Justice Martha Koome.
Speaking at a press conference, Raila said the meeting did not seek to iron out differences between the Executive and the Judiciary as Kenyans were told.
“We now know what transpired at the State House meeting and it is completely different from what the country was fed after that event,” Raila said.
He nonetheless said that the Chief Justice and the President reached an agreement for additional funding to the Judiciary.
“In return for this additional funding, Judiciary is to advertise vacancies for five additional High Court Judges and 11 Court of Appeal judges. This is in addition to the 20 high court judges advertised last year,” he said.
He added that in the agreement, the President would forward names of the Judges to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for approval.
On Friday, Chief Justice Martha Koome declared 11 vacancies in the Office of the Judge of the Court of Appeal.
She said the appointments will be made in accordance with Article 166(1)(b), (2) and (4) of the Constitution and Section 30, Part V and the First Schedule of the Judicial Service Act, 2011.
A statement released by State House spokesman Hussein Mohammed on January 22 indicated that the Ruto-Koome talks resolved to boost Judiciary’s budgetary allocation.
Mohamed said part of the funds would go towards the recruitment of 36 judges; 25for the High Court and 11 for the Court of Appeal.
He said the additional budget would also go towards facilitating Judiciary’s transport needs.
“Resources will also be provided to conclude the vehicle leasing program to facilitate the judiciary’s transport needs,” the statement said.
Mohamed said the meeting also resolved that the three arms of government; the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, will collectively fight corruption.
They admitted that corruption has remained an existential threat to the nation which has permeated the three arms of Government.
“Each of the three arms of government commits to enhance service delivery, fight corruption and promote the overall administration of justice to enhance accountability to the people of Kenya,” the statement read.
Read More: We were misled on agenda of Ruto-Koome meeting, Raila claims