Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has stepped forward to show his support to the Judiciary amid corruption accusations.
Speaking on Tuesday, January 16 at Lake Naivasha Resort during the opening ceremony of the International Labor Standards Training for ELRC judges and registrars workshop, January 16, Atwoli noted the crucial role played by the courts in protecting the weak.
However, he made it clear that this support does not equate to endorsing corruption within the Judiciary.
“The courts protect the weak; therefore, we will be at the forefront of protecting the court. However, protecting the court does not mean we support corruption. We support the president 100 per cent on corruption and weeding out corruption in the Judiciary and other public departments,” Atwoli affirmed.
Ruto, Judiciary drama continues
This statement comes on the heels of Chief Justice Martha Koome’s announcement that the Judiciary had reached out to President William Ruto, seeking an audience to delve into the details of his grievances against the Judiciary.
“He might have received information because we have various machinery and agencies for collecting information, and we would like to engage him so that he can give us that information. We will be looking out for that dialogue with the President. We have written to him, and I believe that the President is going to give us an appointment,” Chief Justice Koome stated.
He accused unnamed judges of being part of corruption cartels hindering government initiatives and pledged to crush such groups.
Speaking at a funeral in Nyandarua county on January 3, Ruto claimed that some unnamed judges were issuing stay orders to frustrate projects initiated by his government.
“I want to announce here that a few people with vested interests who are beneficiaries of corruption in NHIF are now ganging up with corrupt judicial officers to stall reforms so that fake hospital claims will continue,” he said during burial in Nyandarua.
Ruto ready for talk
Earlier Ruto expressed his willingness to engage in discussions aimed at eradicating corruption from all three branches of the government, a shift from his consistent criticisms directed at the judiciary.
Addressing the audience in Tinderet, Nandi County, on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, Ruto conveyed his readiness to initiate dialogues with both the judiciary and the legislature regarding the issue of corruption.
“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.
