[Chief Justice David Maraga in a past event. He could be among the Nobel Peace Prize contenders this year according to a number of academicians. Photo/Nation]
Although he was not highly tipped to be Kenya’s second Chief Justice under the new constitution, David Maraga, 66, has undoubtedly made it to world historical books for nullifying elections of a sitting president.
With experienced competitors such as Prof Makau Mutua, Nzamba Kitonga, Smokin Wanjala, not many ranked Maraga as favourite upon the retirement of Willy Mutunga in 2016,
His first major test being handling an election petition filed by veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga challenging Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory, Maraga’s ruling surprised many across the world.
“It was the first major test and he gave a judgment that would be used anywhere in the world as precedent,” says Prof Nyachieo Bogonko.
Kisii University academician Ondigi Abaya adds:”Africa being a young democracy, Maraga has set a record on electoral processes and perhaps he could find himself as Nobel Peace prize contender.”
Only Austria, Maldives and Ukraine have ever made such a ruling, with Kenya’s case being the first one in the continent Africa, a region that has had its electoral processes challenged and even condemned by international communities.
Being the first even African country to make such a landmark ruling, Bogonko says, Maraga and his team could be recognized by the world before the end of the year.
“I will not rule out Nobel Peace prize. It’s on the way for him given the history that has been set with evidence that does not show bias,” he adds.
The decision was based on majority with two judges, Njoki Ndung’u and Jackton Ojwang’ dissenting of the six judges who presided over the petition.