‘Kaa ngumu!' MP Ichung'wah urges Ruto to slash Judiciary budget after housing levy ruling

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wa has urged President William Ruto to exercise his authority and prevent the Judiciary from what he termed as undermining the administration.

The Kikuyu MP's sentiments come after the Court of Appeal on Friday declined to suspend a High Court verdict that declared the housing levy unconstitutional.

Speaking in Meru County on Friday following the ruling, Ichung'wah claimed that the Judiciary is operating beyond its mandated role and thereby hindering the work of the Executive and Legislature.

He further asserted that the Judiciary's so-called interference is detrimental to Kenya Kwanza initiatives seeking to create jobs for youth.

"What we have seen has nothing to do with the independence of the Judiciary. This is judicial overreach. They have overreached their mandate and are now sabotaging the work of the Executive, Legislature and sabotaging the jobs created for the millions of youth in our country," said the vocal lawmaker.

"I want to plead with you, Your Excellency; don't allow your government to be sabotaged or undermined by cartels and masters of State capture, either through Judiciary or even in the Legislature. Kaa ngumu rais!"

Ichung'wah likewise hinted at the possibility of the State slashing funds allocated to the Judiciary should it continue 'foiling' Ruto's development agenda plans.

This coming within the same week that the President held a meeting with Chief Justice Martha Koome and agreed to give the Judiciary additional budgetary support to strengthen the fight against corruption.

"Najua ulifanya mkutano na hawa watu na ulisema utawaongezea pesa lakini kama unataka kuwaongezea pesa na hiyo pesa itakuja kufanyiwa budget kwa Bunge na mahali pesa inatoka ni kwa ushuru na hii Judiciary ndio inasimamisha ushuru....mimi naona hapo tutakosana kidogo. Ikifika Bunge tutafungafunga," Ichung’wah said.

"Please allow us ata sisi tupige msasa budget ya nchi yote. Tuangalie kama Judiciary wanapata pesa na hiyo pesa inafanya nini kuchangia ajira ya vijana wa Kenya."

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot on Saturday echoed MP Ichung'wah's comments, saying that despite the Court of Appeal ruling, the affordable housing project is unstoppable.

“This affordable housing program is a covenant that President Ruto entered between him and the people that voted for him, and nobody should dare come between that program," Cheruiyot said in Elgeyo Marakwet.

"Vijana wengi ambao wanasimama hapa ambao watabenefit katika hii Elgeyo Marakwet from affordable housing program hawatatatizwa kupitia wale wajuaji wanakimbia kortini na kusimamisha mipango ya serikali."