City Laywer Danstan Omari caution Judiciary against Executive ‘goodies’
Renowned city lawyer Danstan Omari has asked the Judiciary to be cautious with the “goodies” being offered by the Executive or else it may end up being compromised.
According to Omari, the Judiciary should be careful to remember that their role is to administer justice to all whether they support the government of the day or not.
Omari who was addressing journalists said the promises that President William Ruto offered the Judiciary during his inauguration ceremony were telling.
“We want to congratulate President William Ruto’s move to appoint the six judges. We want to appreciate Ruto’s move to increase the Judiciary fund. But if the Judiciary plays to bed too much with the Executive, are we likely to see a Judiciary that was there under the old Constitution, when it was a department of the Executive? If the judiciary gets everything that they are asking, will they have the moral capacity to give orders against government. So we are starting to feel that the Executive wants to go in bed with the Judiciary,” the lawyer poses.
The sentiments by Omari come in the backdrop of bag of goodies from newly elected President directed to the third arm of government.
The President also assured the Judiciary that he will increase its annual budgetary allocation by Sh3 billion for the next five years.
Citing government’s financial constraints, Omari said Ruto may not be able to meet the over ambitious expectations of his supporters.
“The government needs to widen its tax net and fill corruption loopholes to be able to accelerate development,” he said.
Omari poured cold water on the ambition and practicability of Ruto’s government fulfilling the many pre-election campaign pledges saying he needs support from all players to uplift the country’s living standards.
Ruto has since appointed the judges – Weldon Korir, Aggrey Muchelule, George Odunga and Joel Ngugi to the Court of Appeal and Justices Evans Makori and Elizabeth Omange to the Environment and Lands Court and on the same day and on Wednesday, September 14 afternoon presided over their swearing in at State House, Nairobi.
