KENYA: ANGRY CHIEF JUSTICE BARKS AT THE GOVERNMENT

Chief Justice of Kenya, David Maraga addressing the press

By Africa Reporter, NAIROBI Kenya

Chief Justice of Kenya, David Maraga, has alleged there is a plot by the Executive to remove him from office before the end of 2019 and vowed to exercise power bestowed on him by Kenyans.

"I'm told that some Chief Secretaries are Principal Secretaries are bragging around that the CJ will or should be removed in the office before the end of this year. Really? Kumbe hii nchi iko na wenyewe (Is that to mean that this country has its owners?)," Maraga said.

During a press conference on Monday, the CJ expressed dissatisfaction at the Executive following a cut in the Judiciary's budget.

He said the slash has hurt the Judiciary.

He said the National Treasury does not have any power to tamper with the funds allocated to the Judiciary once it has been passed by the Parliament.

"The Constitution does not give such a direction inrespect of the budget of any other state organ," Maraga said.

He added that the Constitution accords the Judiciary special treatment and that no single arm of the government is authorised to exercise the sovereign power of the people.

Maraga said the three arms: Judiciary, Executive and Legislature are equal and that each should focus on its mandate.

"None of the three arms of the government should control or direct how any other arm should exercise the power that the people of Kenya have delegated to that state organ," Maraga said.

The CJ added that each arm should work based on the powers that have been delegated to it by the Constitution.

He said that each person is subjected to the law and each person can move to court to challenge any decision made by any of the three arms that they feel is unconstitutional.

Maraga said the Judiciary's functions have been greatly hampered by the budget cut, including the plans that had been put in place to automate the anti-corruption court.

He said that in May, during the East African CJ's forum, he requested for Mercedes Benzs, which are normally used by the state to facilitate the movement of the high-ranking visitors.

The CJ said they were not provided, which forced them to use lower end cars.

Chief Justice David Maraga has vowed not to attend some state functions unless the government starts treating him and the Judiciary with respect.

"Unless I am treated with the respect I deserve, I will choose state functions to attend," CJ David Maraga said adding that he is treated better abroad than he is back at home in Kenya.