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President William Ruto yesterday began an extensive tour of his North Rift backyard where he struck a reconciliatory note with the Judiciary with which he has been caught up in a war of words.

Ruto has come under fire from a section of Kenyans and members of the civil society for his attacks aimed at the Judiciary whom he has accused for engaging in graft and being used by external forces to derail his development agenda.

He has been a recipient of heavy criticism from various quarters over his remarks on New Year’s Eve and on Tuesday last week, when he vowed to disrespect court orders, accusing some litigants of colluding with corrupt judicial officers to derail government projects.

Alluding to the ongoing court case challenging the housing levy, Ruto, on New Year’s Eve and during a funeral ceremony in Nyandarua county last Tuesday, criticized a section of judges of being bribed to issue orders that crippled government projects and vowed to disobey such orders.

His remarks were however condemned in various quarters, with Chief Justice Martha Koome asking members of the judiciary to continue discharging their duties without fear or favor.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Magistrates body also condemned the president’s remarks, with the latter calling for nationwide protests by lawyers to demonstrate their opposition to the president’s remarks.

Senior Counsel led by veteran lawyer Fred Ojiambo also hit out at the President over his remarks, while opposition leader Raila Odinga also condemned the Head of State, saying he was plotting to entrench dictatorship by intimidating the Judiciary.  

But a relaxed President Ruto who attended a church service at AIC Sugutek in his Uasin Gishu County backyard called for cooperation between all arms of government in a bid to deliver services to Kenyans.

Unnecessary competition

“Our country cannot move forward if we continue engaging in sideshows and unnecessary competition. What’s important is how to transform Kenya for the benefit of wananchi,” said President Ruto.

“Countries which started with us are way ahead of us and we have no time to waste. The transformation of Kenya has been delayed for years and we don’t have the luxury of time,” he added.

In a veiled reference to the Judiciary, President who was accompanied by several MPs, Senators and Governors called on independent institutions to work with his administration in a bid to deliver the Kenya Kwanza manifesto.

 “It must be a concern to us that today we still have people in our country who sleep hungry due to lack of food,” said the President.

He hit out at some individuals whom he said were using their resources to move to court in a bid to derail his agenda for Kenya and vowed that he will not be cowed.

However, the President maintained his claims that some judges were being bribed to sabotage his development agenda.

“Who will fight for millions who have no capacity to go to the courts? I will stand for them. Mimi sijachaguliwa kupigiwa makofi. Makofi tutapata binguni ama tukifaulu kubadilisha Kenya,” said Ruto.

“With due respect, I’m not in competition with anybody. I ask all leaders that let’s use the opportunity we have to undermine the opportunity of others. Let’s avoid unnecessary negative competition and work for the benefit of Kenyans who pay taxes.  There is no need for competition between the executive and the judiciary,” he added.

The president yesterday sought to assure his Rift Valley backyard that he has not abandoned them in the distribution of development and resources countrywide.

He said that an additional Sh2 billion had been set aside for the Agricultural Finance Cooperation (AFC) for farmers to access affordable credit.

President Ruto reiterated his government’s commitment to reduce food imports from the current Sh500 billion to Sh250 billion in the next five years.

He said that his administration was in talks with the World Bank which he said has already agreed to give the country Sh100 billion to boost food security in the country through irrigation.

“We must have a deliberate programme on how to boost food production in the country.  This can only be achieved if we empower our local farmers to produce their own food,” said President Ruto.

He was accompanied by governors Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu), Wisley Rotich of Elgeyo Marakwet and Roads Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

Others included MPs Phyllis Bartoo (Moiben), Uasin Gishu County MP Gladys Shollei, Samuel Chepkonga)Ainabkoi), David Kiplagat (Soy), Janet Sitienei (Turbo), Julius Rutto (Kesses) and Adams Kipsanai  of Keiyo North.

Shollei who also the National Assembly deputy speaker assured the president of the House’s support adding that they will pass all legislations presented to them for approval.

“We know we have had setbacks in the judiciary but as your foot soldier but I want to assure that we will deal with the judiciary fair and square,” said Shollei.

Murkomen who has in the recent past come under from a section of leaders in Rift Valley over the implementation of road projects in the region sought to defend the Kenya Kwanza administration from the accusations.

“Thanks for your understanding and not being noisy.  We are dealing with a president who serves all Kenyans. We have a well spelt out development plan for this region,” said Murkomen.

The President who is on his tour of the North Rift is set to launch the affordable housing programme in Eldoret tomorrow (today).

As President Ruto was in Uasin Gishu yesterday his deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was in the neighbouring Nandi County where graced the Tinderet Barngetuny Mountain Run.