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.
Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a Comment