Chief JUstice David Maraga. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
The role of Chief Justice David Maraga as the constant factor in the prolonged electioneering process culminated with his overseeing the inauguration into the office of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto.
Maraga, apparently because of the central role he played in the presidential election as the head of the Supreme Court, was cheered wildly when he entered the Moi International Sports Centre shortly after 10.30am, and when he made brief remarks before the oaths were administered.
Maraga, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, and Judges of the Supreme Court Isaac Lenaola and Smokin Wanjala annulled Uhuru’s August 8 election, in a ruling that was objected to by their colleagues Njoki Ndung’u and Jackton Ojwang.
Two petitions slightly over two months down the line, the six judges unanimously upheld the election of Uhuru that had been challenged through two petitions. The full reasoned judgment is still pending.
There was no guessing why ecstatic applause greeted the Chief Justice yesterday when he introduced himself before he presided over the oath that was administered by Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi.
Earlier, as he entered the 60,000-seater arena accompanied by his wife Yucabeth Nyaboke, Maraga posed twice to lift his hand in acknowledgement of the applause.
Maraga’s office and the Supreme Court Bench have been subjected to a barrage of criticism by both sides of the political divide, after the outcome of both rulings. At one time, the CJ had to come out to speak against what the court perceived as intimidation before the first ruling on September 1.