Former Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding Chief Justice Martha Koome, stating that she is now paying the price for her role in the 2022 election.
According to a report by People Daily on Tuesday, Murungi noted that Koome is struggling against the very system that helped bring President William Ruto to power.
He expressed concern over the challenges Koome is facing, urging other leaders to step up and defend her from attempts to remove her from office.
Murungi finds it unfortunate that Koome is being targeted while President Ruto remains silent. His remarks highlight the growing tension between the judiciary and powerful political forces.
Koome has been under intense criticism from senior lawyers, including Ahmednasir Abdullahi and Nelson Havi, who have called for her resignation. They accuse her of failing to deal with corruption within the judiciary, arguing that the courts are compromised and that justice is being sold to the highest bidder.
The calls for Koome’s resignation come at a time when the judiciary is facing backlash over its handling of major cases. Allegations of bribery and judicial officers being influenced by external forces have raised questions about the credibility of the courts.
Critics argue that Koome has not done enough to clean up the system, and some believe that her removal is the only way to restore public trust in the judiciary.
Murungi’s statement suggests that Koome’s current troubles are linked to the events of 2022, when the Supreme Court upheld Ruto’s victory despite opposition claims of election malpractice. At the time, the court’s decision was met with both praise and criticism, but Koome maintained that the ruling was based on evidence and the law.
Now, her critics argue that she is reaping the consequences of aligning herself with a government that is not coming to her defense.
The debate over Koome’s leadership reflects deeper divisions within Kenya’s legal and political circle. Some believe that she is being unfairly targeted, while others see her as part of a judiciary that has failed to uphold justice.
Murungi’s warning to leaders to protect Koome suggests that there are forces working to remove her, possibly for political reasons. Whether Koome will withstand the pressure or be forced out remains to be seen, but the ongoing controversy is a clear sign that all is not well in the judiciary.
The silence from key government figures, including President Ruto, raises questions about where the administration stands on the matter. If Koome is ousted, it could set a dangerous precedent, showing that even the highest judicial officer is not safe from political interference.
On the other hand, if she stays, she will need to take decisive action to prove her critics wrong and restore faith in the judiciary. The coming days will determine whether Koome can survive the storm or if her tenure as Chief Justice will be cut short.
Leave feedback about this