Why DP Ruto is worried about the Judiciary independence

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 26- All roads Monday morning led to the iconic Bomas of Kenya for the launch of the Building Bridges Initiative final report that was recently received by President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

While addressing delegates, Deputy president William Ruto cautioned that the country is treading on dangerous waters if certain proposals are allowed to pass as they are.

Ruto particularly warned that the recommendation to have the ombudsman appointed by the executive into the Judiciary is a “derogation from the independence of the judiciary.”

“We must be careful about the independence of institutions, we are coming from the history where judges received telephone calls, where courts were held at night. We don’t want to go there,” the Deputy President said.

According to the BBI proposal, the Ombudsman will be nominated by the president once approved by the National Assembly upon which the tenure of the office bearer will be five years.

The duties of the Ombudsman will among others include receiving and conducting inquiries into complaints against judges, registrars, magistrates, and other judicial officers and staff of the judiciary.

The office will also be tasked with engaging the public on the role and performance of the judiciary and also improve transparency and accountability of courts.

The Deputy President meanwhile also reiterated calls to have proposals about the judiciary to be improved. Insisting that access to justice remains one of the biggest challenges Kenyans face, hence the promulgation of the 2010 constitution.

“As we talk today, the judiciary, as per the requirement of the law , there should be a high court in every county, as we talk today there are counties, almost 5 that don’t have a high court and Kenyans have to travel far to look for justice,” he said.

“We need to operationalize the Judiciary fund that is already in the constitution, so that the Judiciary can establish more courts, hire more judges and staff so that Kenyans can have access to justice.”

Chief Justice David Maraga had in the past called for strong judiciary to protect the rule of law.

He has been categorical that the Judiciary to effectively operate, it must have financial autonomy.