Principals ‘held talks on Judiciary’

In a statement dispatched to media houses from Ethiopia by the PPS, Prof Saitoti (above) and Mr Haji described Mr Odinga denial of consultations as “disturbing and unwarranted”. Photo/FILE

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga held “exhaustive” talks over top Judiciary nominations before State House made the announcement, two Cabinet ministers said on Sunday.

Cabinet minister George Saitoti and Yusuf Haji on Sunday said the President confirmed to them he held lengthy talks with the PM.

In a statement dispatched to media houses from Ethiopia by the PPS, Prof Saitoti (Internal Security) and Mr Haji (Defence) described Mr Odinga denial of consultations as “disturbing and unwarranted”.

“We have confirmed there were exhaustive consultations before these nominations were made as required by the Constitution,” they said.

The ministers are part of the President’s delegation to the AU Heads of State Summit taking place in Addis Ababa.

They were referring to Mr Odinga’s statement at the weekend which denounced the nominations on the grounds that he had not been consulted. Read: Raila says judiciary appointments 'unconstitutional')

The PM vowed to use constitutional means to block the nominations.