President William Ruto has told off Opposition leader Raila Odinga after he warned Chief Justice Martha Koome not to agree to talks with the President.
Speaking in Endebess on Wednesday, Ruto said he was surprised that Raila does not want him to dialogue with the Judiciary.
The President said that a few months ago, he agreed to dialogue with the Azimio leader and he is surprised that he doesn't want the same for the Judiciary.
He said that he agreed to dialogue with the Judiciary and Parliament because he wants to solve the challenges that hinder Kenya's development.
"Kwa sababu nataka tusuluhishe mambo haya nimekubali kwa heshima nitaketi chini na viongozi wa mahakama na bunge tutatue haya matatizo ndio maendeleo ya Kenya iende mbele."
"Sasa tena naskia mtu wa kitendawili amesema eti tusiongee nashangaa. Si niliongea na yeye juzi wakati alikuwa analalamika. Mbona hataki niongee na wengine ? kwani Kenya ni yake pekeake?" Ruto posed.
This translates to, "Because I want us to resolve these issues, I have respectfully accepted that I will sit down with the leaders of the court and parliament to resolve these problems so that Kenya's development can move forward.
"Now I hear he said that we shouldn't talk, I'm surprised. Didn't I talk to him the other day when he was complaining? Why doesn't he want me to talk to others?"
On Tuesday, Raila said that there was no need for the Judicial Service Commission to hold talks with Ruto.
He said that any such engagement would mark the beginning of the Judiciary getting compromised
He noted that there is an active case in court that the Executive has appealed and a ruling is set for January 25.
He said that the law also gives room for appeal in case one is not satisfied with the court's decision and any dialogue efforts would only further compromise the position of the courts.
"Chief Justice Martha Koome says she wants to dialogue with Ruto. That will mark the start of compromising. There is no need for the Judiciary to hold talks with Ruto. The law says that if you disagree with a court decision you appeal," Raila said on Tuesday.
Ruto on his part agreed to the talks initiated by the JSC after complaints over alleged graft within the Judiciary.
