Azimio presidential running-mate Martha Karua has defended Raila Odinga’s promise to appoint her Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister if they form the next government.

Karua said that said it is not a contradiction of the law for a deputy president to have additional responsibilities assigned by the President.

“If you look at the description of what a deputy president, it is the principal assistant of the President and can perform any other duties assigned by the President. So, if any other duties are covered, you can hold a ministerial docket. And there’s no difference when a deputy president holds a ministerial docket,” she said.

Policy  co-ordination

The Narc Kenya party leader said under an Azimio government, the Justice ministry will perform coordinating duties and denied that it would take away the powers of the Judiciary or the criminal justice system.

“It doesn’t prosecute. It doesn’t arrest. It doesn’t decide on the cases. So, it’s more policy and coordination so that when arms of government get together and you want to find where things are not moving, and whether we are moving according to the policy direction, and to support each other in execution, it will provide he answers,’” she said.

She added: “When the government proposes to Parliament a bill it doesn’t sit in Parliament to pass that bill. But it’s a government proposal.”