Attorney General Paul Kihara has faulted Chief Justice David Maraga for what he termed as a personal slur towards the executive. This comes after Chief Justice Maraga openly criticized President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday for failing to appoint 41 judges recommended by the JSC, and the executive for continually ignoring Court orders. Speaking to the press on Tuesday, AG Kihara said the public attack is puzzling given the direct line of communication that exists between the Chief Justice and the President.
He said the CJ, by speaking about the cases, may have breached the law, “By commenting on what should have been the outcome of those pending cases…. I strongly believe that all cases should be litigated within the corridors of justice and not at media briefings,” said Kihara. He added that the Judiciary should instead focus on reopening the Courts and eliminating the backlog of cases and addressing the concerns of litigants. However, he said President Kenyatta will not abdicate his role as head of state and government to appoint persons with a questionable tag to serve as judges.
He affirmed that the Executive is ready and willing to work with all arms of government, and that a reply will be given to the Chief Justice directly to answer all his concerns, “There is only one government of the republic of Kenya. All its arms and levels were constituted by the people of Kenya to serve them and deliver public good.”