[President Uhuru Kenyatta during a past event in Kisii. Chief Justice David Maraga has dismissed claims that his appointment was a reward to Kisiis. Photo/NATION]
Chief Justice David Maraga has sensationally dismissed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s claims that his appointment was a reward to Gusii community.
In his two days tour to vote rich Gusii region, Uhuru identified CJ position held by Maraga and Education docket held by Fred Matiang’i as rewards by his government to Kisii people.
But on Monday, Maraga distanced himself from the president’s remarks, maintaining that he went through a competitive recruitment process.
“My office requires me to be neutral and I will not involve myself in politics,” said Maraga in a statement after chairing Judicial Service Commission meeting.
The second Chief Justice after 2010 constitution added: “I would like to urge other players in the political and media scene to help me in this regard and refrain from making statements that would project judiciary as partisan.”
Kenyatta’s statement had sparked criticism from among opposition leaders with Raila Odinga accusing him of ‘lying’ to the public.
Also, vocal Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire on Tuesday demanded that Maraga executes his duties without external inteference.
"We expect him to be neutral and serve all Kenyans with equity. That is mandatory and I wish that nothing stops him," Bosire wrote in his Bosire 2017 Whatsap group.
Under the constitution, for one to qualify, he is picked from among three names forwarded by JSC by the president, who forwards the appointee to the parliament for approval.