Justin Muturi has his work cut out in the thawing Ruto relations with Judiciary

There was no love lost between Muturi and the Judiciary, especially as he sought to bring the institution to heel while it fought for its independence. He openly declared that Chief Justices should attend summonses issued by parliamentarians. Despite a court order in November 2013, Muturi transmitted to the President a petition together with the resolution of the National Assembly, for the appointment of a tribunal to investigate the conduct of six members of the Judicial Service Commission -- with a view to their removal.

Justin Bedan Muturi resigned as a magistrate in 1996 after his acquittal in a Sh1 million bribery case he insists was fabricated against him. Back in 1997, it was a rarity for the Attorney General to appeal against the acquittal of an accused person, but Muturi's case was one such exception because the alleged bribe cheque had been presented in court. The appeal was not pursued as part of political deal making to give the ruling party Kanu a foothold in the newly created Mbeere District. When the opposition Democratic Party legislator for Siakago, Silas Ita, died, Muturi was elected in his place on a Kanu ticket.