Ruto Faults President Uhuru for Refusing to Appoint 6 Judges Fronted by JSC

Deputy President William Ruto has faulted President Kenyatta for failing to appoint the six judges with questionable integrity.

Ruto, who spoke during an interview on KTN on Thursday night, said he would have appointed the six if he was the president.

He argued that the president is bound by law to appoint all the judges recommended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

“I would have appointed all of them. I think the people who are better versed in matters law and constitution have said clearly that the right thing that should have happened was for all judges to be appointed,” Ruto said. 

He further pointed out that due process should have been followed if the integrity of the six judges was suspect.

“If there are integrity issues on any judge, then the normal process that involves a tribunal, and those judges being subjected to due process, should have been followed.”

“If we are to remain a sane, democratic country, we cannot afford not to respect court orders and the Constitution,” added Ruto.

While defending his decision, Kenyatta said he received adverse reports on the six nominees from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and other security agencies, adding that his conscience was clear.

“I too took an oath to both the letter and spirit of the law and it is not open to me to turn a blind eye to reports of our State agencies,” said Kenyatta.

He declined to appoint High Court judges Prof. Joel Ngugi, George Odunga, Aggrey Muchelule, and Weldon Korir to the Court of Appeal. The other two nominees, High Court registrar Judith Omange and Chief Magistrate Evans Makori, had been recommended for appointment as High Court judges.