William Ruto Responds To Dispute Between Acting IG Masengeli And Judiciary: "We Only Have One Boss"

• President William Ruto has seemingly addressed the dispute between Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli and the Judiciary
• The president emphasized the importance of the National Police Service and the Judiciary working together to improve service delivery to Kenyans
• The statement came just hours after Masengeli sent a critical letter to the Judiciary, accusing them of interfering with his constitutional duties

President William Ruto has seemingly addressed the conflict between acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli and the Judiciary.

What did Ruto say about police and Judiciary?

During the launch of reforms for the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Prisons, and National Youth Service (NYS) in Lower Kabete, the president urged the NPS, under Masengeli, and the Judiciary, under Chief Justice Martha Koome, to work together.

“I am aware that the National Police Service is an independent and so is the Judiciary but ultimately we have one master, the people of Kenya," Ruto affirmed.

He urged the two departments to collaborate for the nation's benefit and to work together to serve Kenyans.

He emphasized the need to avoid conflicts between the two government institutions to ensure proper service delivery to Kenyans.

The president further stressed the importance of respecting the rule of law to strengthen democracy in the country.

The statement appeared to be aimed at Masengeli, who had previously ignored court summons on six occasions.

"We must defend our democracy and the rule of law while also ensuring we work for the common good of Kenyans,” Ruto said.

Masengeli fires back at Judiciary in hard-hitting letter

Ruto's statement came just hours after Masengeli criticized the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) regarding the security of judicial officers.

In a hard-hitting statement on Tuesday, September 17, Masengeli accused the Judiciary of interfering with his constitutional role of deploying and reassigning security officers.

He insisted that the NPS remains independent and that it would not give into any form of intimidation or coercion to influence its operations.

Masengeli insisted that no external authority can direct or interfere with the employment, assignment, promotion, suspension, or dismissal of police officers.

Masengeli has been under the spotlight following the withdrawal of Judge Lawrence Mugambi's bodyguard and driver.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke