President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday made a passing sarcastic comment on the Judiciary during his speech at the National Taxpayers Day luncheon.
Uhuru's sarcastic comment day after CJ Maraga blasted gov't
President Uhuru Kenyatta spewing sarcasm
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President Kenyatta seemed to be reacting to Chief Justice David Maraga's complaints on Monday that had accused the government of disrespecting the Judiciary.
CJ Maraga had announced that many of the Judiciary's operations were grinding to a halt due to budget cuts imposed by National Treasury.
"I've been made aware that over 1,000 legal cases with disputed tax of over Sh300 billion are awaiting hearing and determination at the Tax Tribunal and other superior courts, the majority of these cases have been pending for more than two years representing a significant bottle neck in the tax administration process.
"I call on the Judiciary...if they so desire...to strive to determine those disputes expeditiously without fear or favour," the President stated to the amusement of his listeners.
CJ Maraga outlines Judiciary's frustrations
On Monday, the CJ had outlined that courts around the country were being forced to stop some crucial operations due to lack of funding.
"Judges will not have money to fuel their vehicles, we will not have mobile courts, we will not have the Court of Appeal circuits, we will not be able to pay for Wi-Fi for e-filing and e-payments and plans to automate the anti-corruption courts have fallen by the wayside," CJ Maraga stated.
He further accused the Executive arm of government of attempts cripple the Judiciary after their proposed Sh31.5 billion budget was slashed to Sh11.5 billion last month.
Justice Maraga also complained that the office of the CJ had suffered contemptuous treatment from state officials citing breach of protocol at the recent Mashujaa Day celebrations as well as at State House, attempts to withdraw traffic clearance and correspondence by junior ministry officials.
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