Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi spoke at an Interdenominational Prayer Service in Kakamega County on Sunday, February 4, 2024, also attended by President William Ruto at the Approved School Grounds.
In Summary:
1) Mudavadi supports Chebukati’s right to be considered for Chief Justice, emphasizing the importance of an independent Judiciary.
2) Raila claims Ruto intends to control judicial appointments, alleging Chebukati’s future promotion to Chief Justice aligns with Ruto’s interests.
In response to Raila’s allegations, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi defends former IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati’s eligibility for judicial roles. During a church service in Kakamega attended by President Ruto, Mudavadi emphasizes the Judiciary’s independence in recruitment.
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He criticizes attempts by the Azimio leadership to influence the Judicial Service Commission (JSC)’s decisions, affirming that qualified individuals, including Chebukati, have the right to pursue positions based on merit.
“The Judicial Service Commission is independent, and it has the right to recruit anybody who qualifies to be a judge of this republic. So it’s wrong for the Azimio leadership to start determining who should the JSC recruit,” Mudavadi said.
Mudavadi’s assertion highlights the fundamental principle of judicial independence. His defense of Chebukati’s right to seek judicial roles echoes concerns about political interference in the judiciary’s affairs.
Mudavadi went on to emphasize, “Kama ni Chebukati ama nani, if he puts his bid for the position of a judge, that is the responsibility of the JSC, not the responsibility of politicians to try and direct JSC.”
Raila contends that Chebukati and his predecessor would be designated as Court of Appeal judges before Chebukati’s promotion to Chief Justice. He claims knowledge of agreements involving judicial appointments intended to align with Ruto’s interests.
“The State House meeting is part of Ruto’s plan for a favorable Judiciary,” Raila asserts. He predicts Chebukati’s Court of Appeal appointment, leading to Chief Justice role before 2027 General Elections.
Both Mudavadi and Raila’s remarks highlight tensions surrounding judicial appointments and the perceived influence of political figures on the judiciary’s independence.