Chief Justice David Maraga has urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to appoint the 41 judges recommended by the Judicial Service Commission. The judges were recommended on July 2019, and speaking on Friday, CJ Maraga said failure to appoint them has increased the backlog of cases. “I continue to urge the President to appoint judges without further delay.” He said if the appointment is completed, the JSC would embark on the recruitment of 30 High Court judges.
The Chief Justice was speaking at the launch of the State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice Report. He said the Court of appeal is operating at half capacity and is accumulating a backlog of cases, the same issue being experienced in other Courts, “Land and labour cases that continue to violate people’s property rights and agrarian based economic activities will not abate unless the Lands and Environment Judges on that list are appointed and sworn in.”
In what seemed to be his last public address to Kenyans before his retirement on January 12th 2021, Maraga said he has nothing personal against the President, although they have different opinions. “I want to assure you and the entire nation, I have nothing personal against you,” he said, “I have given you respect as our head of state, why would I want to fight you as some people are suggesting?” He thanked Kenyans who have supported him throughout his tenure, and the other arms of government, “It was my singular honor and priviledge to be of service to you as Chief Justice.”
On his part, Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka lauded the role played by the Judiciary as an arbiter during conflicts and leading the nation through its purposive interpretation of the Constitution. He affirmed that the Senate will continue to the realization of a just society, “We will continue to lend our support to the Judiciary in its pursuit of fairness, equity and equality before the law,” he added.
