Karua: Justice Minister position will not affect my role as Raila's deputy president

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party presidential candidate Raila Odinga's running mate Martha Karua has insisted that she will be able to juggle between her duties as deputy president and Justice minister should the former premier clinch the country’s top seat at the August polls.

Owing to Karua's proven background in legal affairs, her strong stance on human rights and fighting corruption, Odinga intends to designate her as his Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister should he lead the country's next administration.

His plan has been met with some resistance by a section of Azimio detractors and Kenyans alike, questioning how Karua will be able to balance both responsibilities since the Constitution advises against the deputy president holding another different office.

Speaking in a joint TV interview alongside Odinga on Tuesday evening, Karua noted that – if he assumes office – Odinga will have full constitutional powers to assign her any duties or docket he sees fit, noting that the planned appointment falls within the same parameters.

"I think it is a misconception. A DP assists the president and performs any other duties assigned by the president, so any other duty is covered. There is no difference when a DP holds a ministerial docket. It is a ministerial docket like any other," she said.

She went on to add that her involvement in overseeing policies and issues pertaining to the country's justice system will not have a negative ripple effect on key independent institutions such as the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which enable the arm of the government to operate optimally.

"They (agencies) are independent but interdependent and the justice ministry is a coordinating ministry…it doesn't prosecute, arrest or decide on the cases…when arms of government come together they support each other in execution and not decision making," said Karua.

Her sentiments were shared by Odinga who likewise stated that it is important for Karua to take up the oversight role as well as her DP duties in order to ensure that the country's judicial system is credible and can be trusted by Kenyans.

"People are pushing this word total independence too far as if we are in different countries. There is independence and interdependence ultimately you want delivery of services to the people be done well," he said.