Chief Justice Martha Koome has come out to defend the Judiciary saying that there was agreement with the Executive on the housing levy.
Speaking on Thursday from Naivasha, the CJ noted that the Judiciary is independent and that on the housing levy, what they can do is to execute its legal duty.
She continued by saying that the Judiciary has been acting independent on the housing levy issue that suspended it and that they will never discuss anything that is before the court.
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“Judiciary is not, in any capacity, able to enter into any agreement with the Executive, especially in a matter that is before court. The Judiciary was not a party in that cause, and I tried to look at the clip where the President was quoted to have said he entered into an agreement with the Judiciary,” said the CJ
According to Koome, President William Ruto’s statement may have been misinterpreted and that the Head of State may have meant is that they have complied with the framework needed before it is implemented.
“I’m a judge, I’m not a communication expert, but what I could deduce from that conversation is that it was taken out of context or there was misinterpretation.
Because what the President was saying is that he agreed with the judgement of the court that gave directions on what needed to be done to create a framework on how to administer the housing levy, and what he was telling Kenyans is that the Executive has complied with the directions given in the judgement.” she said
The news follows President William Ruto’s statement that the Executive was in agreement with the Judiciary on the programme.