Chief Justice David Maraga at the Supreme Court in Nairobi. [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
Despite strong criticism from a section of political leaders, Chief Justice David Maraga has insisted that the Judiciary will keep on making its rulings on the basis of the constitution, the law, and court evidence before it.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the CJ insisted the need for Kenyans and leaders to appreciate that every decision made by courts has to meet meet the foregoing test.
Maraga dismissed allegations by president Uhuru Kenyatta and other Jubilee leaders that the Judiciary was becoming partisan, siding with the NASA opposition during determination of cases on the August 8 election.
"My attention has been drawn to statements by political leaders at a rally in Baringo this afternoon where they accused the Judiciary, and specifically myself, of taking sides in ongoing political disputes. I would not ordinarily respond to statements made by politicians in the course of campaign activities, but these accusations are particularly unfortunate, based as they are on completely wrong premises," he said.
He argued that he has never asked the IEBC not to go ahead and print ballot papers as Deputy President William Ruto had accused him.
"I have always been at the forefront of defending the cardinal principle of decisional independence of judges, and at no time have I ever directed any judge or judicial officer on how to determine the cases before them," he said.
He maintained that the Judiciary is open to any form of constructive engagement, including criticism.