A section of lawyers have lauded President William Ruto’s move to offer goodies to the Judiciary saying it would improve the judicial system.
Led by city lawyer Danstan Omari, they said the appointment of the six court of Appeal and Environment and Land Courts Judges and increasing funding to the Judiciary would fast-track completion of appeal cases as well as improve working conditions.
Addressing the press in Thika town today, they said it was a wise move for the two arms of government to work in tandem to save Wanjiku in the justice system.
During his address to the nation after inauguration yesterday, President Ruto said he will appoint the six judges that were rejected by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta in June last year, which he later did yesterday evening.
Four of the judges including Weldon Korir, Aggrey Muchelule, George Odunga and Joel Ngugi were appointed to the bench of the Court of Appeal while Justice Evans Makori and Elizabeth Omange were appointed to the Environment and Lands Court.
The president also assured the Judiciary that he will increase its annual budget by Sh3bn for the next five years.
The lawyers at the same time cautioned the Judiciary to beware of the goodies else they may end up getting compromised.
“We laud the move to offer the goodies to the Judiciary and it may help accelerate the justice system. His intentions may be out of good will and we hope so. However, as lawyers, we hope the Judiciary will not be compromised by the executive so that justice may be served to all as required,” he said.
The lawyers at the same time called on Ruto to work towards fulfilling the pre-election campaign pledges.
Citing government’s financial constraints, Omari said Ruto may not be able to meet the over ambitious expectations of his supporters and will rely on increased tax base and zero corruption.
“The government needs to widen its tax net and fill corruption loopholes to be able to accelerate development,” he said.
