President William Ruto has dismissed claims that his administration has captured the judiciary.

To the contrary, he says at no time has he ever attempted to interfere with the judiciary in the execution of its mandate even in the face of unfavorable decisions.

“I know there is a discussion as to why I am appearing in too many functions of the judiciary. I think, they can confirm to you that I have never put a telephone call to anybody to ask them to do nothing,” President Ruto said when he presided over the launch of the inaugural National Council on Administration of Justice Annual Report at a Nairobi hotel on Monday.

“My support for the judiciary is so that they can effectively deliver justice to the people of Kenya. Period!” President Ruto clarified as he jokingly referred to the petition that was filed by LSK to oppose the nomination of 51 people to the position of Principal Secretaries.

The petition was thrown out by High Court Judge Nduma Nderi on grounds that it was filed prematurely thus paying way for conclusion of the vetting exercise and the swearing-in of the 51 Principal Secretary nominees.

“Everybody is entitled to do what they must do. And it’s okay to take government to court. It’s okay to take me to court, I have no problem. If you have a matter and if I lose, I have no problem. It means I was on the wrong because nobody is an angel. All of us can be wrong or right , but we leave it to the judiciary to decide whether one is guilty or one is innocent,” added President Ruto during the function that was also attended by the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji.

In making the claims, members allied to the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party have made reference to the decision by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to withdraw charges against senior government officials on grounds of lack of sufficient evidence.  

At the launch of the report, President Ruto assured the judiciary of financial support from his administration to expedite the delivery of justice, adding that the Cabinet will tomorrow consider two bills namely the Pension for Judges and the tribunal’s bill all aimed towards that endeavor.

The Head of State also undertook to work closely with the judiciary and the County Government of Nairobi in establishing four small claims courts within the county.

At the same function, Chief Justice Martha Koome emphasized the need to wipe out the retrogressive Female Genital Mutilation noting that the practice was spelling doom to the future of girl child in the country.