My Job Isn't for the Faint-Hearted, Chief Justice David Maraga Tells Critics
Chief Justice David Maraga has come out to defend his actions and those of the judiciary, which have received harsh criticism especially from the ruling party, Jubilee.
In what appeared to be a veiled response to last week's hard-hitting letter by Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju, Maraga said the Chief Justice job is “not for the faint hearted.”
In the letter addressed to the Chief Justice, Tuju accused Maraga of “almost burning the country,” when the Supreme Court invalidated President Kenyatta's August 8th,2017 victory citing irregularities and illegalities.
However, Maraga says he is required to provide servant leadership, like he did, and promised to continue working honestly and independently.
“From our recent past history, it is common knowledge that some of the disputes brought to our courts involve matters of great national importance; matters which, if not carefully and, in my view, prayerfully handled, can tip the balance of national security and plunge this country into chaos and total anarchy,” Mr Maraga told a leadership workshop at Kenyatta University.
He said all cases brought before the judiciary were adjudicated based on the law and the Constitution.
“For me it will not only be a travesty of justice but also a great betrayal of the trust the Kenyan people have bestowed upon me if I were to decide any case on considerations other than on the evidence presented before me and the applicable,” said the CJ.
In the letter, Tuju also accused Maraga and the Judiciary of bias, double standards, poor leadership and impunity.
“My Lord, with all due respect, may I state the following, not to provoke you but to submit that no powers can be absolute. Irresponsible actions from the Judiciary, Executive or Parliament can burn this country – and with due respect, you almost succeeded in burning the country after August 8 Elections,” Mr Tuju said in the 1,733-word letter.
However, Maraga further stated: “Leadership demands that the Chief Justice is one who is not faint-hearted, one who must be trusted by the citizenry and not one who preaches water and drinks wine."
He also hit out at corrupt leaders in public service, saying: “It is common knowledge that corruption is endemic in Kenya and something we should be ashamed of. Public resources are being plundered by leaders without as much as a thought to the poor who are in dire need."
The CJ was speaking during the opening of Being a Leader training workshop at Kenyatta University on Monday.
Comments
Tell them Mr. Maraga we need…
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Tell them Mr. Maraga we need more of your type..Corruption..is worst in Kenta today done openly
Maraga is the most useless…
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In reply to Tell them Mr. Maraga we need… by Romeo 23 (not verified)
Maraga is the most useless Chief Justice Kenya has ever had. He is extremely corrupt and bias. He need to resign or be removed tactically.
Maraga is the most corrupt…
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Maraga is the most corrupt CJ on the face of Earth and a laughing stock
NO WONDER THEY PROCLAIMED …
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NO WONDER THEY PROCLAIMED "WE SHALL REVISIT THE SUPREME COURT, WHAT EVER THAT MEANT"
Maraga you hold the…
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Maraga you hold the judiciary docket, what are you doing about fighting corruption? So many politicians have been accused of corruption why have they walked free and gone on to seek public office? You are part of the problem and you should understand the buck in judiciary stops with you. You have already nullified a presidential election so do not tell us you don't have the power to prosecute these corrupt politicians. Stop being a politician, do your job that is why tax payers are giving you a salary. If the kitchen is too hot get out do not waste our money.
Malaga, your job is not for…
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Malaga, your job is not for the light hearted we agree but it is also a position that requires you to stay out of politics. When Raila says "Constitution my foot" fails to follow the Supreme court orders and you maintain your silence, we wonder what kind of a ruling you gave. When you made the ruling of August 8th elections we agreed with it except we wondered what kind of a ruling, if you said it should not set precedence. What about Nyaikaki,What about the swearing in? What about anticipatory bonds? What about the silence by your juniors-The LSK? And you wonder why Kenyans cannot trust the judiciary. Just a thought. I think the biggest problem we have in the Kenya Judiciary today, is that all of you are of the old constitution- watu wa kitu kidogo, watu wa chai, nepotism and tribalism - we got a new Constitution in 2010 but kept the old corrupt judges. They all need to either be re-trained or replaced.
Oh Maraga, how I had hope in…
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Oh Maraga, how I had hope in you...ati mtu wa Kanisa. Saying NO when everyone expects you to say YES is not problem; as long as you are JUST! I thought JUSTICE is what would be about..add some common sense and knowledge of the Law - BUT - I was wrong!
PREJUDICE - you brought your prejudice to the job... You, unashamedly, take sides in matters of National interest....DEADLY STANCE! I even think you've found a new love; politics!
POOR JUDGEMENT and LACK OF COMMON SENSE
You nullified 8/8 elections, based on false documents... and you did not even give a hoot how your decision would affect this country...YOU FAILED KENYA, and, because of you, this country has been set back a decade or so...you'll never know!
You, Maraga, disappointed man people. You put on an 'innocent' face but your agenda is deadly. I pray you'll be gone sooner.
Maraga, when your judges set…
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Maraga, when your judges set bail for trilionares at only 50 k and the have nots at 1/2 million you may want to revisit where corruption is.. you preach the gospel yet your own church is full of filth.. clean up your mess Maraga or you should r sign.. sounds like the courts have now become vehicles of deciding for voters and citizen through democratic proces.. You are rubbish and belong to compost bin.. bure Kabisa and let us know when you are right n being paid by nasa
Maraga cannot be held…
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Maraga cannot be held responsible for all the actions of other judges and magistrates he sits on the appealate court and he is not allowed to comment or opine on matters pending before the court.As usual uthamakistan is expecting special treatment .Your kamwana stole the election and then ran against himself now he is hell bent on stamping his authority yet he forgot that we are past Moi era of dictatorship.What worked in the past does not apply today.As long as the judiciary is impartial then there is hope for Kenya.
Mr. Maraya, you may be …
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Mr. Maraya, you may be “faint hearted," but you are clearly "faint minded." Am not even sure how you got a law degree and passed bar exam. As for the lousy job you are doing as the leader of the Judiciary, bravo to Mwororo, JustMe and Omosh for their excellent comments regarding this clownish and clueless hypocrite who preaches moral leadership while acting like a corrupt political prostitute who doesn't mind all unconstitutional chaos created by his pimps. This dumb CJ and his dumber DCJ, plus Odunga and all other ODM activist judges must be relieved of their jobs and fat salaries soonest possible than later. We don't need political stooges on the bench and highest office in the Judiciary.
How I and many Kenyans wish…
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How I and many Kenyans wish C.J. Maraga exit from the Judiciary. He is partisan, a pretender and insignificant. He, like most judges and magistrates make rulings based on the names of individuals and tribe. How, in fete's sake, is Nyaikaki still at the judicial rigistry? Maraga is part of the problem not a solution.
Can a peace loving Kenyan somwhere, with money, petition the removal of Maraga... He is pathetic, just as the judiciary is. JSC is a failure too. You can not mix your sectorial (Kanisa) with judicial services. C.J. Maraga, plzzz resign coz majority of Kenyans are tired of you.
Some people commenting here…
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Some people commenting here expect special treatment from the judiciary. Maraga has done his best. Kenyans of good will ought to support him.
C.J. Maraga is partisan,…
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C.J. Maraga is partisan, biased and a political activist on top of church fanaticism. He should exit the judiciary. He is not worth the post.
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