Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi has said former IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati has a right to become Chief Justice, just like any other Kenyan. 

Mudavadi made the remarks during a church service on Sunday February 4, 2024 in Kakamega, when he defended Chebukati, saying that he has the right to vie for any position in Kenya.

This was after ODM party leader Raila Odinga claimed that President William Ruto was planning to appoint Chebukati as Chief Justice. 

“The Judicial Service Commission is independent, and it has the right to recruit anybody who qualifies to be a judge of this republic. So it’s wrong for the Azimio leadership to start determining who the JSC should recruit,” Mudavadi said.

“Even if it is Chebukati, if he puts his bid for the position of a judge, that is the responsibility of JSC, not the responsibility of politicians to try and direct JSC,” he added. 

READ ALSO: Chebukati enjoying life after retirement

Mudavadi’s remarks emerged a day after Raila disclosed plans to appoint Chebukati as a Court of Appeal Judge before making him Chief Justice before the 2027 general elections.

According to Raila, details of making Chebukati Chief Justice emerged during a meeting between President William Ruto and Chief Justice Martha Koome at State House in Nairobi.

Raila had revealed that President Ruto’s government was planning to establish a friendly Judiciary in preparation for the 2027 general elections. 

READ ALSO: CS Aden Duale defends Chebukati after failing to appear before National Dialogue Committee

This was after President William Ruto held a meeting with Chief Justice Martha Koome and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula at State House on January 22, 2024.

The meeting was meant to resolve the ongoing stand-off between the Judiciary and the Executive, after president Ruto accused Judges of corruption and delaying government projects.

READ ALSO: President Ruto meets CJ Martha Koome at State House Nairobi

The Judicial Service Commission(JSC) through the Chief Justice Martha Koome had requested for a meeting with the president on January 15, which President Ruto welcomed on January 16.

While accepting the invitation for the meeting, President Ruto said that it should be attended by leaders from the three arms of government. 

READ ALSO: President Ruto pushing for weak Judiciary in Kenya, ODM declares